ITA Airways Plans to Expand Long-Haul Network in Five-Year Business Strategy

ITA Airways, the Italian flag carrier, has announced a new five-year business strategy that aims to expand its long-haul network and improve its overall fleet. The plan, which will run through 2030, includes new routes from Rome Fiumicino to North America, South America, Asia, and Africa. These routes will be supported by a growing short-haul network.

To facilitate this growth, the airline plans to add one new widebody aircraft each year, beginning in 2026. By 2030, ITA expects to have a fleet of around 100 aircraft, all of which will be new-generation models.

Currently, ITA Airways operates 100 aircraft, including 18 inactive ones, according to ch-aviation data. However, 32 of these aircraft are from previous generations. The fleet includes twelve A220-100s, thirteen A220-300s, ten A319-100s, seventeen A320-200s, nineteen A320-200Ns, seven A321-200NX(LR)s, five A330-200s, eleven A330-900Ns, and six A350-900s. The airline expects to receive 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 older A320ceo and A330ceo models.

ITA Airways has identified United Airlines’ hubs in New York Newark and Houston Intercontinental as potential targets for its future expansion in the United States. It also plans to strengthen its cooperation with Aerolíneas Argentinas on the already-operated Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini service, according to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, which cited industry sources.

In addition to its US expansion, the airline is considering launching new routes to Mumbai International in India, Singapore Changi, and Osaka Kansai in Japan. These routes would connect with hubs of Star Alliance members Air India, Singapore Airlines, and ANA – All Nippon Airways, respectively.

ITA Airways is also looking to expand its presence in Africa, with plans to add flights to Lagos and Abidjan. Currently, the airline serves Cairo International, Tunis, Algiers, Accra, and Dakar Blaise Diagne International on the continent, all with narrowbody aircraft.

The airline’s strategy also includes plans to leverage synergies with other airlines in the Lufthansa Group and become a member of the Star Alliance in 2026. It also aims to join the transatlantic A++ joint venture with Lufthansa, United Airlines, and Air Canada. Overall, ITA Airways’ goal is to strengthen its international network and become a major player in the global aviation industry.