Italian carrier ITA Airways has firmed up an order for aircraft from Airbus, with 28 aircraft on the list.
All ITA AIrways Blue aircraft – coming soon. Rendering – Airbus.
The order firms up a memorandum of understanding between the two companies. So, what is ITA Airways buying?
- 7 (Seven) Airbus A220
- 11 Airbus A320neo
- 10 Airbus A330neo
Exact variants of which models will be taken have not been disclosed at this time – although it would be safe (given the rendering above) that the airline is looking at the A220-100, A320neo and A330-900neo.
This represents a total of 28 aircraft, based on the MoU signed at the end of September 2021. In addition to the order being placed the airline will pursue its plans to lease A350s to complement its fleet modernisation.
In Quotes
Alfredo Altavilla, Executive President of ITA Airways said:
“Today the strategic partnership with Airbus takes an important step forward with the finalisation of the order we announced last September. In addition to this agreement, possibilities for further collaboration have emerged, in particular regarding technological developments in the aviation sector and digitalisation, where Airbus is the market leader. All this is part of the actions to achieve our environmental sustainability objectives.”
Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International:
“We are very proud to partner with ITA Airways in building its long-term future with the most efficient, latest technology Airbus aircraft. This agreement supports ITA Airways business objectives to develop its network in Europe and internationally in the most sustainable way.”
Focusing on an all-Airbus fleet
Previously, Alitalia dallied with different types of aircraft – sticking to Airbus narrowbody on its trunk short-medium haul network, both Boeing and Airbus on long-haul aircraft and Embraer aircraft on its regional network.
It seems that those dalliances have come to an end, with ITA Airways to become an all-Airbus shop for its future network – indeed its current operation is focused on Airbus equipment (focusing on the A319/A320 for short-haul and Airbus A330-200 for the long haul operations).
For now, the airline has to weather the current headwinds to see how it survives as it attempts to leave behind the toxic past of Alitalia.
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