Published on
October 12, 2025
Romanian carrier AnimaWings introduced direct scheduled flights from Romania to Istanbul last month, enhancing connectivity between Eastern Europe and Turkey. From October 2025, the carrier has several weekly flights every week from five Romanian cities — Bucharest, Craiova, Timișoara, Iași, and Cluj-Napoca — to Istanbul, which is one of the most hectic and lively airports globally. This growth is a major step for AnimaWings, a new era in increased travel opportunities for tourists and business travelers alike in the area.
The New Routes: Increased Accessibility for Travelers
The launch of AnimaWings’ direct flights provides increased accessibility for travelers in Romania and Turkey. The following flight routes will be available:
Bucharest–Istanbul: Operates five times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday).Craiova–Istanbul: Twice a week (Monday and Friday).Timișoara–Istanbul: Twice a week (Monday and Friday).Iași–Istanbul: Three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday).Cluj-Napoca–Istanbul: Twice a week (Thursday and Sunday).
With these routes, AnimaWings significantly enhances regional connectivity by offering more frequent travel options for both tourism and business. This expansion enables easy access to Istanbul for Romanian residents seeking to explore the cultural treasures, historical sites, and modern attractions that the Turkish city has to offer, while also providing a bridge for Turkish travelers to explore Romania’s rich cultural and natural offerings.
Strengthening Economic and Cultural Ties Between Romania and Turkey
The new direct air link between Romania and Istanbul is expected to further strengthen economic and cultural cooperation between the two countries. The tourism sector stands to benefit greatly from this development, as tourism professionals and businesses in both Romania and Turkey can work together to create joint initiatives to attract visitors. The flights will help boost tourist arrivals, particularly for those interested in exploring Romania’s historic landmarks, cultural heritage, and natural beauty.
Moreover, the tourism market between Romania and Turkey is ripe for growth, with Istanbul already being a top destination for Romanian tourists, thanks to its rich cultural offerings and unique combination of European and Asian influences. The direct flight services make it easier for Romanian travelers to explore Turkey‘s diverse tourist experiences, from visiting Istanbul’s iconic landmarks to discovering Turkish heritage, beaches, and gastronomy.
On the other hand, Turkish visitors are now able to easily access Romania’s cultural gems, such as Transylvania, Bucharest, and the Carpathian Mountains, strengthening the tourism collaboration between the two nations. The shared history and tourism resources between Romania and Turkey create significant potential for cross-border tourism initiatives, and the launch of these direct routes will make it easier for tourists from both countries to visit and experience each other’s destinations.
Economic Boost: Promoting Regional Travel and Trade
Apart from enhancing tourism, the new direct routes will also contribute to boosting regional trade and business exchanges. As both Romania and Turkey have strong economies and growing industries, the increased air connectivity will facilitate more business travel, opening doors for trade agreements, economic partnerships, and investment opportunities.
The introduction of these new flights will also provide the opportunity to create joint trade routes and further strengthen commercial exchanges in sectors such as tourism, transportation, energy, and technology. Romania’s expanding role in Eastern Europe and Turkey’s thriving position as a regional business hub make the new direct air routes a vital link for global businesses in both regions.
Expanding Tourism and Creating New Experiences
The AnimaWings initiative to expand its flight network reflects a broader shift in the tourism industry towards offering more accessible, affordable, and diverse travel experiences for global tourists. The direct flights from Romania to Istanbul offer a new way to connect travelers between two dynamic tourism markets, combining luxury tourism, cultural exchanges, and local experiences in one seamless journey.
Additionally, the airline is expanding its presence in Europe, opening up new travel options for tourists seeking regional destinations. With the launch of these new services, AnimaWings is making it easier for European travelers to explore the rich history and modern attractions of Istanbul, while also helping Istanbul to expand its role as an increasingly important European and Middle Eastern tourism gateway.
Future Expansion of Regional Connectivity: A Long-Term Vision
The expansion of AnimaWings’ routes to Istanbul marks a significant step in the airline’s broader strategy to enhance regional connectivity and expand its network of direct routes across Europe and the Middle East. As the airline continues to grow its presence in Eastern Europe, more destinations may be added to its network, providing greater access to tourists from both regions.
AnimaWings’ expansion not only enhances its ability to serve regional travelers but also strengthens its competitive edge within the European aviation market. Future plans may include even more direct routes between Romania and other countries in Europe and Asia, helping to boost tourism, business exchanges, and trade links between these regions.
Connecting Romania and Turkey Through Travel
AnimaWings’ introduction of direct flights between Istanbul and Romania is a significant move towards greater travel and tourism connections between the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Romanian tourists will now have greater access to one of the globe’s most vibrant cities, while Turkish tourists can enjoy greater opportunities for exploring Romania’s beauty and history.
Regional cooperation between Romania and Turkey in tourism, trade, and cultural exchanges will increase, helped by improved air links and common economic and tourism interests. Through improved air links, AnimaWings and its stakeholders are building an integrated tourism market, to the advantage of travelers, local economies, and global cooperation in the future.
