ITA Airways has evaluated a transition to an all-Airbus A350 widebody fleet for its long-haul operations. The Italian carrier has operated six A350-900s with two more on order while it has flown 11 A330-900s and five older A330-200s. The potential shift has aimed to simplify logistics, lower maintenance costs, and support international growth.
The airline has prioritised expansion to North and South America as part of the A++ joint venture with United Airlines, Air Canada, and Lufthansa. Lufthansa Group has increased its stake in ITA to 90pc. The carrier has revised growth targets upward to around 30 long-haul widebody aircraft by 2030 after labour union feedback.
The move has followed heavy investment in A330-900neos but has weighed operational synergies of a single widebody type. ITA has continued to phase out older A330-200 aircraft.
