Ita Airways, Italy’s flagship airline, is making significant strides in its effort to expand its international network and enhance profitability. With the development of its 2026–2030 business plan, the airline is considering the launch of more than a dozen new long-haul routes, connecting Rome Fiumicino to destinations across the United States, Asia, and Africa. These new routes are a strategic move to boost revenue and increase the airline’s presence in key global markets.
A Focus on Profitability and Long-Haul Expansion
Ita Airways has identified long-haul flights as a key driver for profitability, with these routes typically generating higher revenues than domestic or European services, where competition is fierce. The airline aims to expand its intercontinental fleet, adding one aircraft per year, with the addition of four Airbus A350s and one Airbus A330neo. This expansion will significantly bolster Ita’s capabilities to serve new and high-demand destinations.
New Routes to the United States
As part of its aggressive expansion, Ita Airways is focusing on the U.S. market, with new routes expected to launch in 2027. These include direct flights from Rome Fiumicino to Newark and Houston. Both airports are major hubs for United Airlines, which is part of the A++ transatlantic joint venture, alongside Lufthansa and Air Canada. Ita Airways is set to join this lucrative partnership in 2027, making the Newark route a natural extension of its existing service to New York’s JFK Airport.
The Newark route will complement the current operations at JFK, providing passengers with seamless connections to United’s extensive network. Similarly, the Houston route offers another strategic link to the U.S. market, tapping into the city’s growing international traffic and energy sector-related business.
Expansion in Asia
Ita Airways is also eyeing growth in the Asian market, particularly in Singapore and Japan. Singapore, a hub for Lufthansa’s joint venture with Singapore Airlines, is a highly anticipated destination in the airline’s network expansion. Additionally, Ita Airways is looking to launch flights to Osaka, Japan, complementing its existing service to Tokyo Haneda. Osaka is a major hub for All Nippon Airways (ANA), another key partner in Lufthansa’s global network, ensuring strong connectivity for passengers traveling across the region.
African Routes with Potential
Ita Airways is focusing on Africa as part of its long-term growth strategy, eyeing potential routes to Abidjan (Ivory Coast) and Lagos (Nigeria). These destinations are seen as crucial for tapping into the growing demand for air travel between Europe and Africa. The airline plans to deploy Airbus A321neo aircraft on these routes, which are well-suited for medium-haul flights.
However, Ita’s African network is not without challenges. Flights to Dakar (Senegal) and Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) have underperformed, prompting the airline to reevaluate its strategy in the region. On the other hand, the Riyadh route continues to show strong performance, indicating the potential for future expansion in the Middle East.
Potential Routes to China and Beyond
One of the most intriguing aspects of Ita Airways’ future plans is its potential re-entry into the Chinese market. The reopening of Russian airspace to European carriers could pave the way for direct flights to cities like Moscow, Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. This would be a significant move for Ita Airways, allowing the airline to tap into the lucrative Chinese market, which has long been a strategic focus for many European carriers.
Moreover, the potential stability in the geopolitical environment would provide Ita Airways with the opportunity to resume historic Alitalia routes to Tehran, Beirut, and Amman. These routes, which were profitable during the Alitalia era, could once again become vital to Ita’s expansion plans.
Seasonal and Counter-Seasonal Routes
For the upcoming winter season, Ita Airways is looking to launch seasonal routes to destinations such as Zanzibar, Santo Domingo, and Havana. These counter-seasonal routes are expected to cater to Italians seeking warmer climates during the colder months, with vacation package sales playing a key role in filling seats. By capitalizing on the winter travel demand, Ita Airways can generate additional revenue during a typically slow period for airlines.
Profitability Challenges: The Case of Santiago de Chile
One route that remains under careful consideration is Santiago de Chile. Historically part of Alitalia’s network, the route remains a possibility for Ita Airways in the coming years. However, the long distance between Rome and Santiago, combined with the need for strong yields, means that the route will require a careful financial analysis before it can be launched. In the past, Alitalia operated the Rome–Santiago route with nearly €67 million in revenue but incurred a loss of €16 million. This underscores the challenges Ita Airways will face in ensuring that the route is profitable.
Conclusion
Ita Airways’ ambitious plans to expand its long-haul network over the next five years reflect the airline’s strategic focus on profitability and growth. By tapping into high-demand markets across the United States, Asia, and Africa, Ita is positioning itself to become a key player in global aviation. The airline’s ability to navigate the competitive landscape of long-haul flights, secure profitable partnerships, and ensure efficient fleet management will be crucial to its success in the years to come.
