The Pandel family-controlled airline AnimaWings has announced a tripling of its domestic flights, a strategic move that positions it as a dominant player in the local air transportation market. By adding 66 weekly flights, bringing its total to 90, the airline not only strengthens its presence in key cities such as Cluj, Iasi and Timisoara, but also increases its total domestic air capacity by more than a third. This aggressive expansion intensifies competition on Romania’s busiest routes and responds directly to the need for increased connectivity between the country’s main economic centers.
Starting October 1, AnimaWings airline will operate 90 weekly flights between Bucharest and five domestic destinations, namely Cluj-Napoca, Timisoara, Iasi, Oradea and Suceava. The decision represents a substantial increase in the offer, aimed at consolidating and streamlining air travel within the country, according to Marius Pandel, the company’s president.
The expansion focuses on the routes with the highest traffic. Frequencies on the Bucharest – Cluj route will increase from 16 to 28 weekly flights, while the Iasi – Iasi link will reach 22 weekly flights, up from 12 previously. AnimaWings is also launching two new routes to Timișoara (22 weekly flights) and Suceava (8 weekly flights), and is resuming operations on the Bucharest – Oradea route, with 10 flights every week.
With this increase, AnimaWings is adding around 13,000 seats per week to the market. According to internal analysis, the total capacity on domestic routes will exceed 40,000 passengers per week, served by around 350 flights to and from the capital. In the new market context, the busiest routes will be Bucharest-Cluj (100 weekly flights operated by all carriers), Bucharest-Timisoara (88 flights) and Bucharest-Iasi (74 flights).
The move is part of a wider expansion plan, with the company aiming to expand its fleet from five to 18 aircraft over the next two years. AnimaWings is part of Memento Group, alongside tour operator Christian Tour. The group has reported a turnover of more than EUR200m for 2024, up 25% year-on-year, with the air transportation division contributing 12% to the result.