Romanian carrier AnimaWings has temporarily suspended all flights for more than three weeks after filing for insolvency and beginning a judicial reorganisation process.
The Bucharest-based airline stopped flying on October 2 and plans to remain grounded until October 24. It intends to resume services from October 25, coinciding with the start of the winter scheduling season, although with a revised programme reflecting its sharply reduced fleet.
AnimaWings filed for insolvency with the Bucharest Court on September 30, seeking protection from creditors while it restructures its financial obligations. The carrier said recurring technical problems affecting fleet availability had created a knock-on effect across its operational, commercial and financial activities. Rising operating costs and wider economic pressures had added to the difficulties.
At the centre of the upheaval is AnimaWings’ fleet of six Airbus A220-300s. Introduced in 2024 as part of an ambitious expansion strategy, the airline is now withdrawing all six. This will leave the airline with just two older Airbus A320s: YR-AGC (c/n 3621) and YR-AGD (c/n 6350).
The retrenchment represents a dramatic reversal for a carrier which had increasingly moved beyond its charter roots to challenge flag carrier TAROM on scheduled domestic and international routes. AnimaWings had been building a network from Bucharest and other Romanian cities, with plans to expand its fleet significantly over the coming years.
Its October grounding affects routes including Bucharest to London/Gatwick, Paris/CDG, Munich, Prague, Geneva and Istanbul, alongside a number of domestic services.
Despite the suspension, AnimaWings insists it has not ceased trading permanently. The company describes the insolvency process as a protective measure intended to stabilise the business and allow operations to continue on a sustainable footing.
