The SkyTeam global airline alliance has a new Italian carrier, Italia Trasporto Aereo S.p.A, trading as ITA Airways, following the recent demise of Alitalia.
With the addition of ITA Airways, Italy’s new national carrier and also operating under the airline code of AZ, SkyTeam’s 700 million customers will continue to enjoy seamless connections to key destinations across Italy.
Established just 12 months ago, ITA Airways operates to a network of 14 domestic cities, 20 hubs across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East and New York in the USA. The airline has an ambitious growth chart, which will see Bologna, Verona and Florence added to its domestic network by mid next year, along with Boston, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Tokyo Haneda, Los Angeles and Miami by August 2022.
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The airline’s core business is centred around Rome Fiumicino and Milan Linate airports.
“For more than 20 years, the Italian market has been a cornerstone of SkyTeam’s European network and no other airline alliance connects Italy better to the world. We warmly welcome ITA Airways’ decision to join our alliance and ensure continuity of service for the millions of customers who choose SkyTeam as their preferred alliance to Italy,” said Walter Cho, SkyTeam Chairman. “SkyTeam and our members look forward to working with ITA Airways to establish long-term partnership opportunities going forward.”
Alfredo Altavilla, Executive Chairman of ITA Airways said: “Joining SkyTeam is a natural step, enabling us to continue to deliver a global network and seamless experience that customers flying to and from Italy expect. We look forward to close cooperation with our SkyTeam partners to support the start-up of our company, the Italian flag carrier.”
Alitalia ceased operations on 14 October and left the SkyTeam global airline alliance on the same date. SkyTeam has agreed with Alitalia Loyalty to continue the partnership that will enable the six million members of the MilleMiglia frequent flyer program to earn and redeem miles on selected SkyTeam members’ flights, offering a wealth of opportunities and exclusive services.
ITA Airways is also working closely with SkyTeam and its members to roll out SkyTeam-branded benefits that customers enjoy across the alliance, including priority airport services.
In the past two weeks, ITA Airways has forged new codeshare partnerships with fellow SkyTeam member carrier, Air Europa, along with TAP Air Portugal (a member of Star Alliance), increasing connectivity and travel options for customers between Italy and both Spain and Portugal respectively.
In 2022, ITA Airways’ fleet will rise from 52 to 78 aircraft including 13 wide-bodies (+6 vs 2021) and 65 narrow-bodies (+20 vs 2021). From 2022, new-generation aircraft will gradually join the fleet replacing old technology aircraft. At the end of 2025 the fleet will rise to 105 aircraft (23 wide-bodies and 82 narrow-bodies), with 70% of new-generation aircraft.