The first flight on the Cluj-Napoca – Athens route took place on April 5, 2026, the operation being available throughout the year. Other direct flights from the heart of Transylvania to Greece will start in June, for the summer season, namely: Cluj-Thessaloniki, from June 2, with 2 direct flights per week, followed by regular seasonal flights to Zakynthos, from June 4, one flight per week, every Thursday.
Full-service in-flight experience for Cluj-Napoca – Athens flights
The route to Athens is operated with two weekly frequencies, on Thursdays and Sundays, with flight schedules in the first part of the day, optimal for both business travelers and leisure travelers. The average flight time is about 2 hours each way.
The flight schedule is designed to allow easy access to Athens' network of connections, giving passengers the opportunity to continue their journey to numerous destinations in Greece, including the Aegean islands, during the same day.
Passengers benefit from a full-service onboard experience with Premium Economy and Economy Class travel options, all tickets including free seat selection, 8kg carry-on baggage and 4kg personal items. The flights are operated with modern Airbus A220-300 aircraft, in full economy configuration of 148 seats, recently entered the AnimaWings fleet and which will be allocated to regional bases in Romania in the coming seasons.
Mr. Marius Pandel, CEO of AnimaWings said: "The opening of the direct route Cluj-Napoca – Athens responds to the growing demand in Transylvania for destinations in Greece, both for business trips and for city breaks or holidays. Athens is becoming a strategic point for both tourism and connections to the Greek islands and is an important regional hub. Until now, this route was not served by regular direct flights, and its introduction contributes to the expansion of connectivity in regional airports in Romania, facilitating mobility and the development of commercial and tourist relations."
Ms. Ioanna Papadopoulou, Director of Communication & Marketing of Athens International Airport, said: "We warmly welcome the new route inaugurated by AnimaWings, which connects Athens to Cluj-Napoca, in the heart of Transylvania, an interesting destination and an important regional center in Romania! We are delighted with the improvement of connectivity between Romania and Greece, by adding the city of Cluj to the network of destinations served directly by our airport. On the occasion of the launch of the new route, we look forward to welcoming all passengers from Romania who travel to our city and beyond, as well as travelers from Athens/Greece who choose to discover this unique Romanian destination. We wish the airline a warm welcome and good luck in its development in the Greek market."
The President of the Cluj County Council, Mr. Alin Tise said on this occasion: "Air connectivity is an essential factor for the competitiveness and sustainable development of Cluj County. The opening of the new direct route Cluj-Napoca – Athens, along with the other destinations operated by the Romanian company AnimaWings, will have a significant impact on the development of tourism, will facilitate business relations and will contribute to increasing the mobility of citizens in Cluj and the entire North-West region. This air link also creates new opportunities for economic and cultural collaboration with the Attika region of Greece. The Cluj County Council will continue to support the expansion and modernization of the airport, so that our county maintains its status as a landmark of excellence and development in the region."
Mr. Viorel Federiga, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cluj International Airport, also said: "Through a series of remarkable efforts, materialized by AnimaWings' decision to operate the new Cluj-Athens route, Cluj International Airport demonstrates once again that it is the regional airport with the most dynamic and spectacular development. We wish good luck to the airline operator AnimaWings and to as many destinations operated from Avram Iancu Cluj International Airport as possible."
Mr. David Ciceo, CEO of Cluj International Airport, added: "We are glad that, just 1 year and 3 months after the start of scheduled flights from Cluj International Airport, AnimaWings continues its accelerated expansion process, with a portfolio of 6 scheduled destinations available from Cluj airport: Athens, Bucharest, Istanbul, Thessaloniki, Olbia-Sardinia and Zakynthos. The direct connection to Athens, the capital of Greece - operated all year round, meets real demand from passengers and complements the offer of external destinations with a strategic point in southern Europe, opening up opportunities for both business travelers and passengers who choose Greece as a holiday destination. "
Tags: Viorel Federiga, Cluj International Airport David Ciceo Ioanna Papadopoulou, Athens International Airport Marius Pandel, AnimaWings