To meet the increased interest generated by the festival, AnimaWings will operate special dedicated flights between June 11–15, 2026, on the following routes:
• Bucharest – Cluj-Napoca (June 11, 12, and 13)
• Cluj-Napoca – Bucharest (June 14 and 15)
• Iași – Cluj-Napoca – Iași (June 13–15), the only direct connection between the two cities.
“We are delighted to join Sports Festival, a project that has succeeded in building one of the strongest communities in Romania around sports. Through the special flights operated during this period, we want to make it easier for as many Romanians as possible to attend the event in Cluj-Napoca. For AnimaWings, this partnership means more than mobility — it means supporting an active lifestyle, performance, and stronger connections between people and the country’s major cities,” said Marius Pandel, CEO and co-founder of AnimaWings.
“Sports Festival was born from the desire to bring people together through sports, and the partnership with AnimaWings helps us connect communities from across the country even more easily with the energy of this event. We are happy that more and more people choose to come to Cluj-Napoca to experience unique sporting moments, and this year’s edition carries a special emotional significance through Simona Halep’s official retirement match and the Nadia Comăneci Year — celebrating 50 years since the first perfect 10 in gymnastics — events dedicated to the great legends of Romanian sports,” said Mirel Alexa, Executive Director and co-founder of Sports Festival.
Sports Festival annually brings together more than 150,000 participants and features internationally renowned athletes, competitions, sports demonstrations, family activities, and inspirational sessions dedicated to performance, health, and an active lifestyle. Sports Festival 2026 will also host a series of discussions with sports legends, psychologists, and key figures involved in the sports industry as part of the Sports Talks series, alongside special experiences dedicated to the general public and sports communities. This year’s edition will bring face to face with the audience Nadia Comăneci, Simona Halep, Elina Svitolina, Gaël Monfils, Andrei Pavel, and other major athletes from Romania and around the world.
Initially launched as a charter flight solution dedicated to major travel agencies, the Romanian airline AnimaWings has undergone a remarkable structural transformation in recent years. Following a strategic shift to full ownership under the Christian Tour group (MEMENTO Group) and the rollout of an ambitious acquisition programme for state-of-the-art aircraft, the carrier has successfully redefined its identity, venturing boldly into the scheduled flights market and positioning itself as a stable alternative in the domestic aviation landscape.
In a highly dynamic aviation industry frequently marked by recent financial turbulence or the collapse of local operators, the story of AnimaWings offers a welcome note of predictability and commercial ambition. Founded in 2019, the company has demonstrated outstanding adaptability, turning logistical challenges into opportunities to expand its network of routes both domestically and internationally.
Shareholding Shift and Strategic Independence
A major turning point in the operator’s recent history came when the group controlled by brothers Cristian and Marius Pandel (Christian Tour) acquired the majority stake in the airline, following a period during which the Greek giant Aegean Airlines held operational control.
This move allowed AnimaWings to transition from a mere holiday-oriented charter carrier into a universal airline. The new strategy seamlessly integrated the sales expertise of Romania’s largest tour operator with the operational flexibility of an airline capable of competing on scheduled routes.
Massive Investments in the Fleet: Entering the Airbus A220 Era
The ambitions of the new management received physical confirmation through the signing of leasing contracts for next-generation aircraft. The company opted to introduce the Airbus A220 (the -300 variant) into its fleet, widely regarded by specialists as the most efficient and environmentally friendly medium-capacity aircraft in the world today.
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Fuel Efficiency: Reduced fuel consumption and lower carbon dioxide emissions allow the airline to significantly optimise its operational costs.
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Enhanced Comfort: The modern cabin configuration, featuring wider seats and considerably larger windows, offers Romanian passengers a superior flight experience on medium-haul routes.
Route Diversification: Connecting Major Romanian Cities
Whilst in its infancy AnimaWings’ aircraft flew exclusively to holiday destinations in Greece, Turkey, Egypt, or Tunisia, its current flight schedule includes vital scheduled connections for both business and domestic tourism.
The company has launched routes directly linking Henri Coandă International Airport (Otopeni) to key regional hubs such as Cluj-Napoca, Iași, and Oradea. Internationally, the flight programme has been extended to major European capitals and cities, offering a reliable alternative to the rigid timetables of traditional legacy carriers or major low-cost airlines.
| Operating Segment | Destinations & Specifics | Competitive Advantage |
| Domestic Scheduled Flights | Bucharest – Cluj, Iași, Oradea | Timetables tailored for business, premium services included. |
| International Scheduled Flights | Major European hubs | Competitive fares and operations from primary airports. |
| Charter Flights | Greek Islands, Antalya, Hurghada | Direct partnerships with agencies, non-stop flights. |
Present Challenges: Competition and Ground Infrastructure
Despite its brisk growth rate, AnimaWings faces the classic hurdles of a crowded aviation market. Competing with pan-European low-cost giants demands strict financial discipline and precise targeting of passenger niches that value service quality, punctuality, and included luggage.
Furthermore, expansion into provincial airports depends directly on the modernisation pace of road and ground infrastructure across the country, as well as the operational capacity of regional terminals to handle large passenger flows during peak hours.
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