Romanian carrier AnimaWings will launch twice-weekly nonstop flights between Cluj-Napoca and Vienna from 17 July 2026, marking the airline’s entry into the Austrian market and adding a new Eastern European connection to Vienna Airport’s summer schedule.
Flights will operate every Tuesday and Friday using an Airbus A220-300. Departures from Cluj-Napoca are scheduled at 6:50 a.m., arriving in Vienna at 7:20 a.m. Return flights leave Vienna at 8:00 a.m. and land in Cluj-Napoca at 10:20 a.m.
Julian Jäger, joint CEO and COO of Vienna Airport, welcomed the new service as a sign of growing demand for destinations beyond the traditional city break circuit. “The new connection brings more choice to our summer flight schedule, strengthens connections to major business hubs and expands our route network to Eastern Europe with an exciting destination full of unique charm — exactly the kind of cities that are increasingly sought after for city trips beyond the classic hotspots,” said Jäger.
Marius Pandel, CEO of AnimaWings, said the Vienna route reflected the strategic direction the airline is pursuing in 2026. “We are delighted to announce our new direct service between Cluj-Napoca and Vienna, further strengthening AnimaWings’ international network and offering passengers more convenient travel options between Romania and Austria,” said Pandel. “Vienna is an important business and cultural hub, while Cluj-Napoca is one of Romania’s most dynamic and fast-growing cities, with a vibrant creative and technology scene.”
Cluj-Napoca, Romania’s second-largest city, has built a strong reputation as one of Eastern Europe’s most appealing urban destinations. A major university city, it draws visitors with a historic old town, a thriving café and restaurant scene, and a calendar of festivals that keeps its streets busy year-round. Its technology and creative industries have also made it an increasingly important business destination in the region.
The city also serves as the main gateway to Transylvania, a region that combines medieval architecture, Carpathian mountain landscapes, and the folklore surrounding Dracula to create one of Europe’s most distinctive travel experiences. Around 30 kilometres from Cluj-Napoca lies Salina Turda, a former salt mine that now operates as an underground theme park, featuring a Ferris wheel, boat rides, and vast cathedral-like caverns carved deep below ground.
AnimaWings was founded in 2020 and is based at Bucharest Otopeni Airport. Established by Memento Group, the airline specialises in scheduled and charter flights, connecting Romanian cities including Bucharest, Timișoara and Cluj-Napoca with European destinations. The Vienna launch is part of a broader 2026 expansion that also includes new routes to Munich and Frankfurt.
With the addition of Cluj-Napoca, Vienna Airport continues to broaden its Eastern European network. The route gives travellers from Austria and beyond a direct link to Transylvania, while opening Vienna as a hub connection point for Romanian passengers travelling onward across Europe.
Tickets are available through AnimaWings and via vienna-airport.com.
