Romania’s Bees Airlines will commence operations in August, offering a route network comprising an initial eight destinations.
The startup secured an air operator certificate (AOC) in March and plans to operate scheduled flights using two Airbus A320 aircraft from a base at Bucharest’s Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP). The carrier will also fly from Suceava in Romania and Chisinau in Moldova.
The first commercial service will link the Romanian capital with Heraklion in Greece from Aug. 5, operating twice a week through Sept. 12. Flights will also be added from OTP to Prague, Tel Aviv and Verona, Italy, in late August, followed by Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden in September.
Additionally, Bees Airlines plans to serve two routes from Suceava Ștefan cel Mare International Airport, located in northeastern Romania, to Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden and Tel Aviv, and from Chisinau Airport to Verona.
Despite sharing the same name and branding as the former Ukrainian LCC Bees Airlines—which ceased operations following the Russian invasion in February 2022 and since had its AOC revoked—the Romanian carrier confirmed to Aviation Week that it has different investors and management.
“The trademark was bought by investors … but our company is 100% a Romanian company without any connection [to the Ukrainian airline],” a spokesperson said.
Bees Airlines plans to operate both scheduled and charter flights, offering a low-cost service on the scheduled side. The spokesperson said the carrier expects to increase its fleet in line with demand from passengers and tour operators, while its network expansion will focus on leisure demand and Romanian diaspora.