ITA (Italia Trasporto Aereo), Italy’s new national airline and flag carrier, prepares for its upcoming launch. The air carrier committed to taking a total of 59 new Airbus passenger aircraft for future operations.
On September 30, 2021, Alitalia’s successor ITA signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Airbus over the purchase of 28 new jets, including 11 A321 neo Family jets, 10 A330s, and seven A220 aircraft. In the meantime, the new Italian carrier also agreed with Air Lease Corporation (ACL) over the lease of 31 planes, including 15 A220s, nine A321neos, five A330-900s, and two A320neo aircraft. The new national carrier expects to receive its first aircraft delivery under agreement with Airbus as early as the first quarter of 2022, while deliveries of ACL leased planes should start in the second half of 2022.
The newly born airline ITA, which will launch operations on October 15, 2021, has a promising business plan. Following its strategy, the company plans to expand its fleet gradually with a target to operate 80 aircraft by the end of 2022, and over 105 jets by the end of 2025. ITA also aims to increase the number of its employees from 5,550 up to 5,700 people by 2025.
The initial network of the carrier will include mixed operations to short as well as long-haul destinations. As outlined in its business plan, ITA will fly to 45 destinations and operate 61 routes in 2021. The company will expand the network to 74 destinations and 89 routes by the end of 2025.
Italia Trasporto Aereo, which was set up in October 2020 to replace the loss-making Alitalia, has already received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Italian National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) on August 18, 2021.