ITA, here's the first big announcement: will have a 100% Airbus fleet. Long-haul with the A330neo
In a press release issued in the late afternoon, ITA spa, the newco that will take the place of the [...]
ITA Airways
In a press release issued in the late afternoon, ITA spa, the newco that from October 15 will take the place of the "old" Alitalia, signed Memoranda of Understanding with Airbus for the purchase of 28 new aircraft: 10 Airbus A330neo aircraft for long-haul routes, 7 aircraft of the Airbus A220 regional aircraft family, and 11 aircraft of the A320neo family (deliveries of the latter aircraft are scheduled after completion of the Business Plan).
In this article:
An A330/900neo in TAP livery.
ITA has also signed an agreement with Air Lease Corporation to lease another 31 next-generation Airbus aircraft among long-, medium- and short-haul aircraft. In total, ITA will acquire 56 new Airbus aircraft on lease. (13 long-haul, including state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900s, and 43 short- and medium-haul) on significantly more advantageous terms than those reserved for Alitalia.
What emerges from this announcement
The rumors were correct, ITA eventually chose aircraft made in Europe. What is surprising (partially), however, is the choice of models.
The business cabin of TAP's A330
For long-haul ITA opted for the Airbus A330 and not the more modern (and expensive) A350. It is clear that the new company has turned to newer, cheaper aircraft that can be obtained more quickly, rather than focusing on a more modern, efficient, and better-range model such as the A350. The Airbus jewel of the house, however, is expected to come on lease; it is not yet clear how many will enter the fleet.
For short/medium haul, however, there are no surprises, other than the choice to have a small fleet of Airbus A220s as well, Just yesterday, Air France unveiled the first of 60 A220s that will enter service for the transalpine company.
ITA will also cut the number of leasing companies in half: from the twelve used by Alitalia under Extraordinary Administration to manage its fleet, it will be reduced to six partners of proven financial strength who will support the company as it grows its fleet from the initial 52 aircraft to 105 aircraft in 2025.
Deliveries of the new Airbuses will begin at the end of the first quarter of 2022, thus beginning the process of growing and converting ITA's initial fleet with a new generation of more efficient and environment-friendly aircraft, equipped with the best technologies and state-of-the-art systems to ensure maximum passenger comfort.
In addition, the choice of a single supplier makes it possible to overcome flexibility limitations in crew management and achieve greater efficiency in the supply of aircraft parts and maintenance activities. ITA has also agreed with Airbus to become a strategic partner for new technologies and for the future generation of sustainable aircraft.
