The AnimaWings airline inaugurated the first direct air link between Craiova and Istanbul, a strategic step connecting the Oltenia region to one of the most important global air hubs. The new route, part of an expansion offensive of the Romanian company, targets both the business segment, given the presence of Turkish companies in the area, as well as the tourist and ethnic segment, facilitating access to hundreds of international destinations.
Flights on the Craiova – Istanbul route, operated by AnimaWings, debuted on October 3, 2025 and are scheduled twice a week on Mondays and Fridays. Ticket prices start from €59.99 each way, including two carry-on bags and services such as seat selection and check-in. To mark the launch, the airline is offering a 50% discount on all travel in October. The decision to open the route is motivated by growing demand from business, diaspora and tourists, according to the company and Craiova International Airport representatives. The connection to the Istanbul hub gives passengers from Oltenia access to hundreds of destinations in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas.
The flights will be operated by Airbus A320 aircraft with a capacity of 180 seats. The launch is part of a broad strategy to expand the AnimaWings network, which inaugurated a total of five new routes to Istanbul from Romania’s main cities in October. The company, part of the Memento Group, recently took delivery of its fifth Airbus aircraft and is targeting a fleet of 18 planes in the next two years, an investment valued at more than $1 billion, equivalent to about €950 million. Future plans include adding new destinations such as London and Geneva from March 2026.