Tag Archives: ITA Airways

Lufthansa submits offer to acquire a minority stake in ITA Airways

Deutsche Lufthansa AG is aiming to acquire a stake in the Italian national carrier ITA Airways (Italia Trasporto Aereo S.p.A.). The plan is to agree on the initial acquisition of a minority stake as well as on options to purchase the remaining shares at a later date. Today, the company submitted an offer to the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance (Ministero dell’economia e delle finanze) to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this respect. Contingent on both parties signing this MoU, further negotiations and discussions would be conducted on an exclusive basis.

These talks would primarily focus on the form of a possible equity investment, the commercial and operational integration of ITA into the Lufthansa Airline Group, as well as resulting synergies. In case of a binding agreement is reached, its implementation would be subject to approval by the relevant authorities.

For Lufthansa Group, Italy is the most important market outside of its home markets and the US. Italy’s importance for both business and private travel lies in its strong export-oriented economy and status as one of Europe’s top vacation spots.

Top Copyright Photo: ITA Airways Airbus A350-941 EI-IFF (msn 283) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 959390.

ITA Airways aircraft photo gallery:

 

ITA Airways increases its connection to India

ITA Airways is enhancing its Rome Fiumicino – Delhi direct flight to meet the expected increase in demand, with a new frequency in the first two weeks of March 2023 and from April through May 2023.

Tickets are already available on all ITA Airways sales channels and at travel agencies, which strongly support this new intercontinental route opened last December and now offers the following schedule:

  • From March 1 to 12 March and from March 27 to 31 May 2023, the flight from Rome Fiumicino will be operated four times a week departing every Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2:10 p.m. with arrival in New Delhi the following day at 2:00/1:15 a.m. local time. In the period March 13 – 15 the route will be operated three times a week, departing every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 2:10 p.m. and arriving in New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport at 02:00 a.m., local time.
  • From March 1 to March 13 and from April 3 to May 30, 2023, the return flights will be operated with four weekly frequencies every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday departing from New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport at 3:50/3:15 a.m. and arriving in Rome Fiumicino at 8:10/8:15 a.m. From 14 to 23 March and from 26 March to 2 April the flight will be three times a week, every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday with the same departure/arrival times.

    With the introduction of an additional frequency in the direct connection from Rome to New Delhi, ITA Airways is continuing to strengthen the ability to attract connecting customers, tapping into the flows between India and North and South America, Germany, Spain and France.

    With the opening of Delhi, ITA Airways intercontinental network is steadily growing: in the winter season, the Company is serving a total of 51 destinations, including 9 intercontinental routes, with the recently launched Tokyo-Haneda and Malé (Maldives), joining the long-haul flights to New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Miami, Buenos Aires and São Paulo opened earlier this year.

In other news, ITA Airways’ intercontinental expansion continues, with new flights from Rome Fiumicino to Rio de Janeiro now on sale.

The long-haul expansion is one of the major pillars of ITA Airways’ strategy, as it generates profitability but also enhances the short-haul connectivity, thus contributing to double the capacity of the Company’s intercontinental network.

ITA Airways’ new connection will be operated with the Airbus A330, from October 29, 2023 with a daily frequency departing from Rome Fiumicino airport at 9:50pm and arriving to Rio de Janeiro International Airport at 6:05am, local time. Flights from Rio de Janeiro will be operated from October 30, 2023, with daily frequency departing at 3:45pm and landing at Rome Fiumicino at 6:45am, local time.

The new connections will allow ITA Airways to further strengthen its expansion in South America, following the flights opening to Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo, which has always been a privileged destination for Italian holidays and the destination with the highest rate of Italian origin population, as well as a strategic market together with the United States for business and cargo traffic.

Top Copyright Photo: ITA Airways Airbus A330-202 EI-EJL (msn 1283) JFK (Fred Freketic). Image: 959890.

ITA Airways aircraft photo gallery:

The first Airbus A320neo is unveiled for ITA Airways

The first Airbus A320neo with new blue livery to join the ITA Airways fleet has rolled out the paint shop in Shannon Airport, Ireland.

It is dedicated to Giacinto Facchetti, extraordinary full-back and captain of the Italian national football team between the 1960s and 1970s. It sports unique design details such as a Zorro mask and winglets, and it will be serving the Company’s medium-haul routes from the end of January.

Bringing together technology and efficiency, the new Airbus A320neo delivers 20% less fuel consumption and CO2 emissions per seat compared to previous generation aircraft. With the new aircraft, ITA Airways will further enrich its modern and environment-friendly fleet, which will feature 80% new generation aircraft by 2026, with the consequent downscaling of 1.3 million tons of CO2 emissions.

The new A320neo features an innovative cabin design, granting passengers a unique travel experience courtesy of more modern and comfortable seats.
Marco Finelli reporting from Italy.
ITA Airways aircraft photo gallery:

ITA Airways launches Rome Fiumicino – Washington and San Francisco routes

For ITA Airways, the upcoming 2023 will be the year of the big investment towards the intercontinental market: the Company will open new routes in the United States, with direct flights from Rome Fiumicino to San Francisco and Washington.

The long-haul expansion is one of the major pillars of ITA Airways’ strategy, as it generates profitability but also enhances the short-haul connectivity, thus contributing to double the capacity of the Company’s intercontinental network.

  • The new Rome Fiumicino – San Francisco route that will operate from July 1 to July 30, 2023, with 3 weekly frequencies every Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday, departing from Rome Fiumicino Airport at 9:35 a.m. and arriving in San Francisco International Airport at 1:15 p.m., local time. From August 2 to October 28, 2023, the flight will be operated every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

    Flights from San Francisco will be operated from July 1 until July 30, 2023, with 3 weekly frequencies, departing every Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday at 3:15 p.m. and landing in Rome Fiumicino at 12:15 p.m., local time. From August 2 through October 28, the route will be operated every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

  • The new Rome Fiumicino – Washington route will operate from June 2 to July 2, 2023, with 5 weekly frequencies every Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday with departure from Rome Fiumicino Airport at 10:20 a.m. and arrival in Washington – Dulles International Airport at 2:20 p.m., local time.

    From July 4 to July 30, 2023, the flight will be operated every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. From August 1 through October 28, 2023, however, the flight will be daily.

    Flights from Washington will be operated from June 2 to July 2, 2023, with 5 weekly frequencies every Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday departing at 4:20 p.m. and landing at Rome Fiumicino at 7:05 a.m. From July 4 to July 30, 2023, the flight will be operated every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. From August 1 through October 28, 2023, the route will be operated daily.

    The two new intercontinental destinations to San Francisco will be operated with the Airbus A350, the Company’s flagship, while the flight to Washington will be on the Airbus A330. These new routes are joining

ITA Airways’ flights to New York, operated from both Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa airports, and those to Boston, Miami, Los Angeles, São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Tokyo, New Delhi and Malè (Maldives) operated from Rome Fiumicino, and opened earlier this year.

In other news, “Io Sono Friuli Venezia Giulia” gets on board the fleet! ITA Airways presents this Airbus A320 painted in partnership with FVGlive which is the forerunner of the initiative to customize the livery of some aircraft for the promotion of various regions.

Top Copyright Photo: ITA Airways Airbus A350-941 EI-IFA (msn 308) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 959702.

ITA Airways aircraft photo gallery:

Will Lufthansa acquire ITA Airways?

ITA Airways is for sale. The Italian government is intent on signing a preliminary sale agreement of the new Italian flag carrier by the end of this month.

Lufthansa Chief Executive Carsten Spohr this past week met with ITA Airways Chairman Antonino Turicchi to discuss details of an acquisition.

If the sale is finally consumated, the Lufthansa Group would have a controlling share of the airline.

ITA Airways would retain its brand.

Top Copyright Photo: ITA Airways Airbus A320-214 EI-IKU (msn 1217) MUC (Gunter Mayer). Image: 959627.

ITA Airways aircraft photo gallery:

ITA to add new cities and 39 aircraft

ITA Airways will add new routes from Rome Fiumicino to San Francisco and Washington Dulles starting from the 2023 summer season, and to Rio de Janeiro in South America from November 2023.

The airline will add 39 new generation aircraft including 9 A330-900s and 30 narrow-body aircraft in 2023.✈️

With new Airbus A321neo aircraft, ITA Airways will also add new destinations in the Middle East: Riyadh, Jeddah and Kuwait City.

Smart News-Go Deeper:

https://www.ita-airways.com/content/dam/ita/files/EN/fly/ita-world/press-release/ITA_Airways_confirms_commitments_growth_2023.pdf

Top Copyright Photo: ITA Airways Airbus A320-216 EI-DTE (msn 3885) ZRH (Paul Bannwarth). Image: 959353.

ITA Airways aircraft photo gallery:

ITA Airways adds the Rome – Tokyo Haneda route

ITA Airways today added the Rome (Fiumicino) – Tokyo (Haneda) aroute. A celebration was held in Rome.

The new route is operated with the Airbus A350-900 three days a week.

Marco Finelli reporting from Italy.

Top Copyright Photo: ITA Airways Airbus A350-941 EI-IFB (msn 270) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 959241.

ITA AIrways aircraft photo gallery:

New meals onboard of ITA Airways flights

New in-flight meals served on routes from Italy designed by Michelin-starred Chef Gian Piero Vivalda and Ferrari bubbles on the ground and on board

ITA Airways has also developed a new creative concept for its in-flight meals, which have been designed to ensure passengers experience top-quality Italian food and wine based on specific themes. The project aims to create real added value for both passengers and the national food supply chain.

Guided by this vision, from June 2, on all intercontinental flights departing from Italy in the ITA Airways network, Business customers can experience new flavours and tastes inspired by excellent Italian-sourced foods and wines, in a simple yet elegant style designed by the talent of the Italian chefs, who will be taking turns on board.

From October 15, the second chef to board ITA Airways Business Class, after Enrico Bartolini, will be the new Michelin-starred Chef Gian Piero Vivalda, owner of the Antica Corona Reale, a restaurant with over 207 years of history that has always been owned by the Vivalda family. Vivalda has earned 2 Michelin stars and many national and international accolades, including access to exclusive circuits such as Les Grandes Tables du Monde and the Relais&Château Association.

The chef has designed for ITA Airways 4 signature dishes from the menu of his restaurant, Antica Corona Reale at Cervere (an appetiser, a first course, a main course and dessert), highlighting his autumn recipe book, the richest, most evocative and traditional par excellence. They range from “Peperone Quadrato”, to “Ravioli ripieni di porri e patate”, on a cream of hard bra cheese, with a crunchy smoked bacon crumble”, to “Cappello del prete served on a celeriac puree, cooked in Nebbiolo sauce with quince, pear poached in wine and walnuts”, to the dessert, “Gianduja Bavarian cream on a crunchy shortcrust pastry base and passion fruit coulis”.

A menu designed to provide an all-round gourmet experience, based on a in-depth research into quality raw materials with a special focus on combinations of flavours, aromas and colours. The next chefs will be unveiled progressively, offering each of them a world-class showcase and the opportunity to study the best menu to transform each journey into a discovery of Italy.

The Company’s first birthday celebrations will also be a unique opportunity to launch a new partnership with Ferrari Trento, Lunelli group. These fine bubbles will be the protagonists for an all-Italian toast of excellence.

The partnership is part of a broader project with the great ambassadors of Italian excellence worldwide, in which ITA Airways is committed to creating synergies with Italian brands that share the same values as the Company. Thanks to their contribution, ITA Airways continues to pursue its objectives of improving the customer experience by offering a service that consistently has Italy at its heart.

Marco Finelli reporting from Italy.

ITA Airways slide show:

ITA Airways puts its first two Airbus A220-300s into revenue service

Ita Airways took delivery of its first Airbus A220-300 (EI-HHI) on September 2, 2022.

After crew training, the new type is now in revenue service. First revenue flight was on October 16 as domestic flight AZ1383 from Rome to Genoa with EI-HHI.

The first international cheduled service was also on October 16, 2022 from Rome-Fiumicino to Geneva and Zurich. The first international flight went from Rome to Geneva and return and in the early evening to Zurich (top) with EI-HHJ.

Munich will come on line on October 30, 2022.

The airline also stated:

The newcomer will be operational between Rome, Milan Linate, Genoa, Turin, Naples, Geneva, Zurich and Munich.

Both aircraft wear “Born to be Sustainable” sub-titles.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by the airline): ITA Airways Airbus A220-300 (CS300 BD-500-1A11) EI-HHJ (msn 55176) (Born to be Sustainable) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 959146.

ITA AIrways aircraft photo gallery: