New destinations, aircraft and the role of Linate: ITA Airways CEO Joerg Eberhart says it all (what he can)
New routes, planes, the role of Linate, the Summer that just opened and the one in 2026. Joerg Eberhart, [...]
ITA Airways
LIN
New routes, planes, the role of Linate, the Summer that just opened and the Summer of 2026. Joerg Eberhart, CEO of ITA Airways, met with the press for the first time. after the press conference-event that had consecrated the wedding between the Italian carrier and Lufthansa last Feb. 3.
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He did so in an informal, sympathetic way, going a bit off the cuff, as one does more in a chat than in an interview, on the occasion of theInauguration of ITA's new lounge at Milan's Linate airport.. But always with Teutonic caution as to the future steps of the company he has been leading for just a few months.
The Flight Club asked him about the things that matter most to our readers, and he answered as best he could. There will be new long-haul routes in Summer 2026 (since the 2025 and the next Winter have already been organized)? "Yes, they will be there. Our team is currently screening a portfolio of destinations, but at the moment it is too early to say which ones we will choose." There will be a return to Newark (important for connections with United)? "Perhaps, that is one of the hypotheses we are looking into."
And, beyond the A330-900s that are part of the 2022 order, is more long-haul aircraft expected to arrive in the fleet? "I think for next summer. there may be room for the entry of two new machines".
Regarding Summer 2025, Eberhart could only underscore the situation of great uncertainty that dominates the world economy and polity due to the issues of tariffs and conflicts that are still open: "It is difficult, in this context, to make even short to medium-term forecasts. However, I can say that as far as we can see to date, June and July are in line with last year as far as sales are concerned, and this can only bode well for the rest of the season when people travel more."
After Fiumicino, the role of 'second pilot' will be played by Linate, where ITA is paying European competition authority directives related to the agreement with Lufthansa. "Compared to last year we can't not count easyjet, which increased its presence on the airport and took away capacity from us with the machines we had to provide. E we can't not consider KLM which moved to Linate the operations it had at Malpensa. Therefore, I say. if things go particularly well, we can aspire to match the 5 million passengers in 2024 this year".
As for a 'plan for Linate', "we will use the current year as a tool to then take action in the coming years. I would say, in conclusion. This should be the year of consolidation for us., with a view to growth that we expect from different points of view starting next year."
