ITA Airways (AZ, Rome Fiumicino) plans to expand its long-haul network as part of a new five-year business strategy extending through 2030. The Italian flag carrier is targeting new routes from Rome Fiumicino to North America, South America, Asia, and Africa, which will be fed by an expanding short-haul network.
The carrier intends to facilitate the growth by adding one new widebody aircraft each year, starting in 2026. "The fleet is expected to average around 100 aircraft, which by 2030 will be entirely composed of new-generation models," it announced.
The airline already operates 100 aircraft (of which 18 are currently inactive, ch-aviation data shows), although 32 units are of previous generations. All up, ITA's fleet comprises twelve A220-100s, thirteen A220-300s, ten A319-100s, seventeen A320-200s, nineteen A320-200N, seven A321-200NX(LR)s, five A330-200s, eleven A330-900Ns, and six A350-900. It expects the delivery of three A220-300s, eleven A320-200Ns, two A321-200NX(LR)s, six A330-900Ns, and two A350-900s, which will allow it to phase out the A320ceo and A330ceo.
ITA Airways is eying United Airlines hubs New York Newark and Houston Intercontinental for its future US expansion, while it also aims to strengthen cooperation with Aerolíneas Argentinas on the already operated Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini service, the newspaper Corriere della Sera reported in June citing unnamed industry sources.
The carrier is reportedly considering launching new services to Mumbai International, Singapore Changi, Osaka Kansai, hubs of Star Alliance members Air India, Singapore Airlines, and ANA - All Nippon Airways, respectively.
Corriere della Sera reported that Lagos and Abidjan are also on ITA's radar in terms of its African network. Currently, it serves Cairo International, Tunis, Algiers, Accra, and Dakar Blaise Diagne International on the continent, all with narrowbody aircraft.
ITA Airways wants to leverage synergies with the airlines in Lufthansa Group and become a member of Star Alliance in 2026. It also aims to enter the transatlantic A++ joint venture with Lufthansa, United Airlines, and Air Canada.
