ITA Airways

ITA Airways (Italia Trasporto Aereo S.p.A.), Italy's national flag carrier operating under IATA code AZ, was established in 2021 as the legal successor to the long-troubled Alitalia. This profile covers its founding, fleet, routes, hubs, cabin products, loyalty program, Lufthansa Group partnership, financial context and safety record. Last researched and updated: July 2025.

At a Glance

1. Inception and History

ITA Airways was born out of one of the longest-running crises in European aviation: the prolonged decline and eventual liquidation of Alitalia. While Alitalia itself dated back to 1946 and was once a prestigious transatlantic carrier, decades of financial mismanagement, structural overcapacity, powerful labor constraints and repeated government bailouts left it chronically loss-making. After a final attempt to restructure the airline in 2017 failed — employees rejected a rescue plan in a referendum — the Italian government placed Alitalia into extraordinary administration.

The Italian state ultimately decided that a genuine clean break was necessary. In October 2020, the government established Italia Trasporto Aereo S.p.A. (ITA Airways) as a new entity, fully owned by the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance. After extended negotiations with the European Commission over state aid rules and the terms of asset transfers from the old Alitalia estate, ITA Airways commenced commercial operations on 15 October 2021.

Year-by-Year Timeline

2. Mergers, Acquisitions and Corporate Evolution

ITA Airways was structured deliberately as a new company rather than a legal continuation of Alitalia. This distinction was critical to satisfying the European Commission, which scrutinized whether the transfer of certain Alitalia assets — including slots at Fiumicino and Linate, brand elements and maintenance facilities — constituted illegal state aid to the old entity's successor. ITA ultimately acquired only a defined subset of Alitalia's assets, and the old Alitalia brand and business remained in a separate liquidation estate.

The Italian government always envisioned bringing in a private strategic partner. After evaluating multiple expressions of interest, the government selected Lufthansa Group in 2023 as the preferred investor. Following a lengthy regulatory approval process, the European Commission gave its conditional clearance in 2024. Lufthansa acquired an initial 41% stake in ITA Airways, with contractual options and a defined pathway toward full ownership over time. The deal was seen as transformational: it gave ITA access to Lufthansa's maintenance network, procurement scale, commercial systems and global connectivity, while Italy retained, at least temporarily, formal control of the airline.

3. Name, Logo and Brand Identity

The new airline launched under the name ITA Airways — an abbreviation of Italia Trasporto Aereo — positioning it as distinctly Italian but forward-looking rather than nostalgic. The livery features a deep blue and light blue color scheme representing the Italian sky and the national color, with the Italian tricolor subtly incorporated. Aircraft sport the azzurro (sky blue) that echoes Italy's sporting and national identity.

Importantly, ITA initially acquired a license to use the Alitalia brand and the AZ IATA code during a transitional period, though the airline has consistently marketed itself under the ITA Airways name. The Alitalia name itself remained attached to the liquidation estate and was not part of ITA's long-term brand strategy.

4. Aircraft History and Evolution

ITA Airways launched operations in October 2021 with a deliberately lean, modern fleet, conscious of avoiding the bloated mixed fleet that had contributed to Alitalia's high operating costs. The initial fleet comprised Airbus narrowbody aircraft (A319, A320 and A321 family members) along with Airbus A330 widebody jets for long-haul operations — many inherited or leased from the Alitalia estate. The airline moved quickly to standardize on newer variants to reduce maintenance complexity and fuel costs.

A strategic priority from the outset was introducing the Airbus A350 for long-haul routes, signaling ambition to compete on premium transatlantic and intercontinental markets. The A350 offers superior fuel efficiency and a modern cabin product that ITA has used to anchor its business class offering on key long-haul routes.

5. Current Fleet

The following represents ITA Airways' approximate fleet composition as of early 2025. Exact numbers fluctuate with lease returns and deliveries.

Note: All figures are approximate and as of early 2025. Fleet composition evolves with ongoing deliveries and returns. Precise counts should be verified with ITA Airways' official fleet disclosures.

6. Future Fleet and Aircraft Orders

ITA Airways has publicly signaled a commitment to fleet modernization, with a stated preference for Airbus neo-family narrowbodies and Airbus A350 widebodies. The integration with Lufthansa Group is expected to influence future procurement decisions, potentially enabling ITA to benefit from Lufthansa's group-level purchasing agreements. The airline has discussed plans to expand its fleet toward approximately 100 aircraft in the medium term, though specific confirmed order details beyond general statements were not fully available in authoritative public sources as of early 2025.

The continued introduction of A320neo-family aircraft to replace older A319 and A320 CEO variants remains a core element of cost reduction strategy. Additional A350 deliveries have been referenced in relation to transatlantic network growth.

7. Major Routes and Network

ITA Airways operates a hub-and-spoke network centered on Rome Fiumicino, supplemented by point-to-point operations at Milan Linate. The network spans Europe, North America, Africa, the Middle East and select South American destinations.

Key Long-Haul Routes (as of early 2025)

• Rome (FCO) – New York (JFK)
• Rome (FCO) – Miami (MIA)
• Rome (FCO) – Boston (BOS)
• Rome (FCO) – Los Angeles (LAX)
• Rome (FCO) – São Paulo (GRU)
• Rome (FCO) – Buenos Aires (EZE)
• Rome (FCO) – Tokyo (NRT/HND)
• Rome (FCO) – Accra (ACC)
• Rome (FCO) – Nairobi (NBO)
• Rome (FCO) – Riyadh (RUH) / Jeddah (JED)

Key Short/Medium-Haul Routes

ITA operates extensive connections within Italy (Rome–Milan, Rome–Palermo, Rome–Catania, Rome–Naples and other domestic routes) and across Europe, including London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Madrid, Barcelona, Athens, Brussels and other major European cities. The Milan Linate hub provides a separate spoke for north-Italian passengers connecting to European destinations.

Following the SkyTeam membership and Lufthansa partnership, codeshare relationships significantly expand ITA's effective reach, allowing passengers to connect onto partner carrier networks beyond ITA's own operated routes.

8. Airport Hubs and Bases

Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) — Primary Hub

Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO) serves as ITA Airways' main hub and the center of its intercontinental network. Located approximately 30 km southwest of central Rome, Fiumicino is Italy's busiest airport by passenger throughput. ITA operates principally from Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. The airport's geographic position gives Rome a natural advantage as a connecting point between Northern Europe and Africa, the Middle East and the Americas.

Milan Linate Airport (LIN) — Secondary Hub

Milan Linate is a city-center airport located close to Milan's urban core, making it exceptionally convenient for business travelers. ITA Airways treats Linate as a secondary hub primarily focused on short and medium-haul European connections and domestic Italian routes. Linate's slot-controlled environment and proximity to Italy's financial capital make it a commercially valuable base. Alitalia had historically dominated Linate, and ITA inherited significant slot holdings there.

Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) — Additional Base

ITA also operates some services from Milan Malpensa, Milan's larger international airport, though the airline's Milan focus is centered on Linate.

9. Terminals and Lounges

At Rome Fiumicino, ITA Airways operates the Freccia Alata Lounge for business class passengers and eligible frequent flyers, located in the departure area of Terminal 1/3. The lounge offers seating, dining, Wi-Fi and shower facilities.

At Milan Linate, business class passengers and top-tier Volare members have access to lounge facilities. Details of lounge access at international outstations are governed by SkyTeam reciprocal lounge agreements and individual partner arrangements. Specific lounge configurations and eligibility thresholds are subject to change and should be verified directly with ITA Airways prior to travel.

10. Cabins and In-Flight Experience

Business Class (Volare Business / Long-Haul)

On long-haul widebody aircraft (A330 and A350), ITA Airways offers a lie-flat business class product in a 1-2-1 or similar configuration, providing direct aisle access for all passengers. The product includes multi-course meal service with Italian culinary inspiration, premium wines, amenity kits and in-seat power. The A350 cabin in particular features the newer-generation IFE screens and ambient lighting. ITA has positioned its long-haul business class as a genuine premium offering, central to competing with other European carriers on the transatlantic corridor.

Economy Class

Economy class is available across the full ITA network. On narrowbody aircraft, a standard 3-3 configuration is used. On widebody aircraft, economy seats are arranged in a 2-4-2 (A330) or 3-3-3 (A350) configuration. Meal service is provided on long-haul flights, with buy-on-board options available on shorter routes depending on fare type. In-flight entertainment is available on widebody aircraft via seatback screens.

Premium Economy

ITA Airways has been developing and introducing a Premium Economy cabin on select widebody aircraft, positioned between economy and business class. Availability and specific cabin layouts should be confirmed directly with the airline, as the rollout was ongoing as of early 2025.

11. Baggage and Passenger Services

ITA Airways operates a fare-family structure that determines baggage allowances, flexibility and ancillary inclusions. Generally:

• Economy Light / Basic fares: Cabin bag only; checked baggage purchased separately.
• Economy Classic / Flex fares: One checked bag included (typically 23 kg); higher flexibility for changes.
• Business Class fares: Multiple checked bags included (typically 32 kg per piece); lounge access, priority boarding and priority baggage handling.

Check-in is available online, via the ITA Airways app and at airport counters. Self-service kiosks are available at major hubs. Special assistance services for passengers with reduced mobility are available; pre-booking is recommended.

12. Loyalty Program

ITA Airways operates the Volare frequent flyer program, launched alongside the airline's own debut. Volare replaced the old Alitalia MilleMiglia program and was built as a fresh loyalty scheme rather than a continuation of the former program.

Volare offers tiered membership: Vola (entry), Club, Club Executive and Club Executive Plus. Members earn points (Punti Volare) on ITA-operated and partner flights, redeemable for award flights, upgrades and other benefits. The program has grown to include earning and redemption partnerships with hotel groups, car rental companies and credit card partners.

Following ITA's entry into SkyTeam in 2024, Volare members gained reciprocal benefits with SkyTeam partner airlines' loyalty programs, significantly expanding the program's practical utility for international travelers. Elite-tier Volare members receive benefits including lounge access, priority services and bonus point earning on partner airlines.

13. Partners and Alliances

ITA Airways became a full member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance in 2024. SkyTeam members include Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines, Korean Air, China Southern and other major carriers, providing ITA passengers with a broad network of interline, codeshare and lounge reciprocity options.

The Lufthansa Group partnership is the most commercially significant bilateral relationship. Codeshare agreements with Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines extend ITA's effective connectivity across Central Europe. Delta Air Lines, as a major SkyTeam member and a key transatlantic partner of Lufthansa Group, also represents an important codeshare and interline partner for ITA on North Atlantic routes.

Additional bilateral codeshare and interline agreements exist with various carriers serving destinations beyond ITA's own network, particularly in Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.

14. Management and Corporate Structure

ITA Airways is structured as a joint-stock company (S.p.A.) under Italian corporate law. Following the Lufthansa investment, the board includes representation from both the Italian state (Ministry of Economy and Finance) and Lufthansa Group, reflecting the transitional ownership structure.

Joerg Eberhart serves as Chief Executive Officer (as of early 2025). Eberhart is a seasoned aviation executive with prior experience at other European carriers, and his appointment signaled ITA's intent to bring professional airline management discipline to the new airline. The Lufthansa Group's involvement has introduced group-level expertise in areas including revenue management, network planning and technical operations.

The airline's corporate governance is subject to Italian law and, given EU state aid sensitivities, under ongoing European Commission monitoring to ensure compliance with the conditions attached to its approval of the Lufthansa deal.

15. Employees and Labor Relations

ITA Airways employs approximately 4,200 people as of early 2025, a substantially smaller workforce than Alitalia at its peak — which employed over 10,000 at various points. This workforce reduction was a deliberate part of the restructuring and was one of the most politically contentious aspects of ITA's creation, as thousands of former Alitalia employees did not transfer to the new airline.

The Italian government and ITA management engaged in extended negotiations with aviation trade unions over terms of employment, work rules and the social safety net provisions for former Alitalia staff. Alitalia's former employees who were not taken on by ITA were placed on state-funded income support schemes (cassa integrazione).

Labor relations at ITA have continued to involve union negotiations over wages, staffing levels and working conditions as the airline has grown. Periodic industrial action and work-to-rule actions have been reported, a common feature of Italian aviation labor relations. The Lufthansa partnership added another dimension to union concerns about the long-term ownership and employment model.

16. Financial Performance

ITA Airways launched as a loss-making startup in a difficult post-pandemic environment and has been on a path toward profitability. Detailed audited financial results for ITA's early years were not fully published in widely accessible authoritative sources as of early 2025. General financial context includes:

• The airline launched with Italian state capitalization and required ongoing equity support in its initial years.
• European Commission oversight of state funding was strict, with ITA required to demonstrate a credible path to commercial viability.
• The Lufthansa investment represented a significant vote of confidence in ITA's turnaround potential and was a condition for access to private capital.
• Revenue growth has been supported by expanding the long-haul network and improving yields on business class cabin sales.

Specific revenue, EBITDA or net income figures are not reliably reported in available authoritative public sources for the purposes of this profile.

17. Safety Record

ITA Airways, as a new airline established in 2021, has no major hull-loss accidents or fatal incidents on its own operational record as of early 2025. The airline holds an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) issued by Italy's national aviation authority, ENAC (Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione Civile), and is subject to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulatory oversight as an EU-based carrier.

ITA is fully compliant with EASA's comprehensive safety framework, which covers aircraft airworthiness, crew training, operations specifications and maintenance standards. The airline underwent standard safety audits as part of its SkyTeam membership process. No extraordinary safety concerns have been reported by EASA or ENAC in relation to ITA Airways' operations as of early 2025.

18. Regulatory Actions

The most significant regulatory matter in ITA's history relates to its founding and the European Commission's scrutiny of state aid. The Commission conducted a thorough investigation into whether the transfer of assets from the Alitalia estate to ITA constituted unlawful state aid. ITA was required to limit the scale of asset transfers and accept certain operational conditions to satisfy the Commission's requirements for the airline's initial capitalization and launch.

Similarly, the Lufthansa Group's acquisition of a 41% stake required European Commission merger clearance. The Commission conditionally approved the deal in 2024, reportedly requiring remedies including slot divestitures at certain airports to protect competition on key routes. The conditions and their implementation were subject to ongoing monitoring as of early 2025.

19. Customer Satisfaction and Complaints

ITA Airways' customer satisfaction record reflects the challenges of building a new airline quickly while managing costs carefully. In its early years, the airline received mixed reviews: passengers generally appreciated the newer aircraft and Italian-inspired service on long-haul routes, while complaints centered on operational teething issues, customer service responsiveness and the transition from Alitalia legacy systems.

On platforms such as Skytrax and consumer review aggregators, ITA Airways has received ratings that reflect an airline still maturing — neither at the top tier of European full-service carriers nor at budget airline levels. The airline's integration with Lufthansa Group processes is expected to improve consistency over time. Formal Skytrax star ratings and specific consumer scores should be verified from current authoritative sources, as these change regularly.

20. On-Time and Operational Performance

On-time performance at Italian airports is influenced by factors including air traffic control constraints (Italy has historically experienced above-average ATC delays within the European network), seasonal congestion at Rome Fiumicino and the operational learning curve of a young airline. ITA Airways' operational performance has improved from its launch period, though specific punctuality statistics require verification from current monitoring bodies such as Eurocontrol or independent OTP trackers.

21. Sustainability

ITA Airways has articulated sustainability commitments consistent with the broader European aviation industry's push to meet EU decarbonization targets. Key stated initiatives include:

• Fleet renewal prioritizing fuel-efficient Airbus neo-family and A350 aircraft, reducing per-seat CO₂ emissions relative to the older aircraft they replace.
• Participation in the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), which applies to all flights within the European Economic Area.
• Commitments around Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) usage, aligned with emerging Italian and EU SAF mandates, though commercial SAF availability and cost remain industry-wide constraints.
• Waste reduction and recycling programs on board and at airport facilities.

ITA Airways has not yet published a comprehensive standalone sustainability report with independently verified emissions data as prominently as some larger European carriers, as of early 2025.

22. Awards and Recognition

As a young airline, ITA Airways is still building its awards track record. The airline has been recognized in various travel industry contexts for its new long-haul business class product and for the quality of its Italian culinary service offering. Specific award citations from bodies such as Skytrax, Business Traveller or similar publications should be verified from current sources, as the airline's competitive standing evolves rapidly as it matures and integrates with Lufthansa Group.

23. Notable Events and Controversies

Alitalia Succession and State Aid Dispute

The most defining controversy of ITA's early existence was the drawn-out legal and political dispute over whether it truly represented a "new" airline or simply a recapitalized continuation of Alitalia with public money. European Commission investigations, trade union opposition and political debate in Italy all accompanied the launch. The Commission ultimately accepted ITA's structure with conditions, but critics — including former Alitalia employees who lost their jobs — argued the process was unfair to workers and circumvented proper restructuring obligations.

Former Employee Disputes

The non-transfer of thousands of Alitalia employees to ITA generated significant labor and social controversy. Unions challenged the selection criteria for who was offered employment, and legal actions were pursued in Italian labor courts by some former Alitalia staff. The Italian government's use of income support schemes (cassa integrazione) to cover non-transferred workers added to the fiscal cost of the Alitalia liquidation. These cases and their outcomes were ongoing or still being resolved as of early 2025.

Lufthansa Deal Conditions

The European Commission's conditions for approving the Lufthansa stake — including slot remedies — were seen by some analysts as commercially meaningful constraints on certain routes. The specific routes affected and the implementation of slot remedies were subjects of industry and regulatory attention in 2024.

24. Competitors

25. Strategic Strengths

• National flag carrier status: Strong brand recognition in Italy and among the Italian diaspora worldwide; preferential positioning at Rome Fiumicino and Milan Linate.
• Lufthansa Group backing: Access to one of Europe's most experienced airline groups for operational expertise, procurement, maintenance and commercial systems.
• SkyTeam membership: Global alliance membership significantly extends ITA's network reach and loyalty program value beyond its own operated routes.
• Modern, fuel-efficient fleet: A relatively young fleet compared to legacy carriers, with ongoing neo-family and A350 introductions reducing unit costs.
• Rome as a geographic hub: Fiumicino's position makes Rome a natural connecting hub between Northern Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas.
• Premium long-haul product: The A350 business class offers a competitive product on the transatlantic routes that generate the highest yields.
• Clean slate from Alitalia's legacy costs: Lower labor and contractual costs compared to Alitalia at its peak, giving ITA a more sustainable cost base.

26. Strategic Challenges

• Low-cost competition: Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air exercise intense price pressure on Italian domestic and European routes, segments where ITA must compete or concede traffic.
• Path to profitability: As of early 2025, ITA had not publicly confirmed sustained profitability; the airline still depends on disciplined execution of its growth plan.
• Labor relations: Italy's aviation labor environment remains complex; legacy tensions from the Alitalia transition add political sensitivity to workforce management.
• Ownership transition complexity: The phased Lufthansa ownership path involves regulatory conditions, political considerations and integration challenges.
• Scale disadvantage: With approximately 90 aircraft, ITA is significantly smaller than Air France, Lufthansa or British Airways, limiting network breadth and procurement leverage on a standalone basis.
• Brand establishment: Building genuine brand loyalty in a market where travelers were disrupted by Alitalia's collapse and initially skeptical of ITA requires sustained investment in product and service quality.
• ATC and infrastructure constraints: Italian airspace and Rome Fiumicino operational constraints can hamper punctuality and hub connectivity.

27. Key Statistics

28. Future Outlook

• Lufthansa full ownership: Contractual mechanisms exist for Lufthansa Group to increase its stake toward full ownership over time, subject to regulatory and political conditions. Full integration into the Lufthansa ecosystem would represent a fundamental transformation of ITA's commercial model.
• Network expansion: ITA has signaled intent to grow the long-haul network, particularly on the transatlantic corridor where yields are highest and where Lufthansa Group connections via Delta provide a strong commercial backbone.
• Fleet growth toward ~100 aircraft: Continued deliveries of A320neo-family and A350 aircraft are expected to expand capacity and replace older aircraft.
• SkyTeam deepening: Greater integration of codeshare, interline and loyalty benefits across SkyTeam partners over time.
• Premium product investment: Ongoing refinement of business class and the development of a consistent Premium Economy offering across the widebody fleet.
• Italian domestic market defense: ITA will need to respond to continued low-cost carrier growth in Italy, potentially through strategic product differentiation and loyalty program investment.
• SAF and sustainability commitments: Increasing compliance requirements under EU SAF mandates and the broader European Green Deal will require ongoing investment.

29. Conclusion

ITA Airways represents Italy's fresh start in civil aviation after the protracted and costly collapse of Alitalia. In just a few years since its October 2021 launch, the airline has established a modern fleet, joined a global alliance, attracted one of Europe's premier airline groups as a strategic investor and rebuilt transatlantic and intercontinental route authority from Rome. The challenges ahead are real: competition from low-cost carriers is intense, the path to sustained profitability requires continued execution discipline, and the political and labor complexities of Italian aviation are ever-present.

Yet the foundations of ITA Airways' model are structurally sounder than anything Alitalia achieved in its final decade. With Lufthansa Group's operational expertise, SkyTeam's network, a modernizing fleet and the inherent advantages of Italy's position as Europe's fourth-largest economy and one of the world's top tourist destinations, ITA Airways has a credible case for becoming a sustainable, competitive European flag carrier. Whether it ultimately succeeds in fully closing the gap to European aviation's top tier will be determined in the years ahead.

30. Official Resources

• ITA Airways Official Website: https://www.ita-airways.com
• Volare Loyalty Program: https://www.ita-airways.com/en_en/fly-with-us/volare-programme.html
• ENAC (Italian Civil Aviation Authority): https://www.enac.gov.it
• SkyTeam Alliance: https://www.skyteam.com