ITA Airways Unveils 2026-2030 Expansion Plan: Rome Fiumicino to Become Major Transfer Hub with New Long-Haul Routes

ITA Airways has come a long way from its launch in 2020. Back then it was seen as yet another attempt to revive whatever was left of the old Italian flag carrier Alitalia that had guzzled down endless amounts of taxpayer money. However, fast forward to today and the airline is starting to find its stride with with an improving financial position and passenger volumes growing. Looking to the future, the Lufthansa Group entry should help continue to fuel its growth and that is exactly what the 2026 to 2030 ITA Airways business plan tackles.

Rome Fiumicino Hub Expansion: New Intercontinental Routes to Four Continents

Digressing from the main topic of the post, but bear with me it’ll make sense, massive investments have gone into making of Rome Fiumicino a welcoming and efficient airport. There is still work to be done on the efficiency side, in particular on the baggage handling, but as far as all other facilities go Rome’s largest airport is now among the best in Europe. I remember the depressing place it used to be in the ’90s, and god am I happy of what it looks like now!

Rome Fiumicino is now an airport fit to welcome and handle transit passengers. And that’s the intention laid out in ITA Airways’ business plan for the next 5 years.

The new Italian flag carrier is planning to expand its operations primarily on long haul services. It won’t only be looking for opportunities to intercept incoming tourists but also to propose itself as a viable one stop travel solution for Europe and beyond. An endeavor Alitalia miserably failed in time after time.

Why should it be any different this time?

1. Rome Fiumicino can finally support ITA Airways attempt in this regard with its well equipped facilities.
2. ITA Airways is much better organized than Alitalia was. For instance, now flight schedules facilitate transits.
3. Lufthansa has a great deal of experience in this field and will be lending it to ITA Airways.
4. The fleet (more on this topic soon) is more efficient and allows to achieve greater operating margins and profits.

So, where will ITA Airways be expanding towards? From what the airline’s business plan lays out, in every direction possible. The network expansion will involve destinations across:

• North America
• South America
• Asia
• Africa

Star Alliance Integration: A++ and J+ Joint Ventures Set for 2026 Launch

I’ve covered in prior posts how from day one of Lufthansa’s investment in ITA Airways the plan was for a Star Alliance entry. That is already ongoing with ITA having departed SkyTeam and ready to enter Star in early 2026.

Another key milestone for Lufthansa and ITA Airways’ expansion is entering the two massively important joint ventures the German carrier is a part of:

• A++ for transatlantic flights (in partnership with Air Canada and United Airlines)
• J+ for flights to Japan (in partnership with ANA – All Nippon Airways)

Accessing these JVs isn’t as simple as joining the Star Alliance. More governmental approvals are required, nonetheless ITA Airways should eventually be a part of these agreements.

As for the Star Alliance accession, we’ll certainly have more news and precise dates further towards the end of 2025. The 2025 Q4 should also bring some more clarity over what will be of ITA’s frequent flyer program Volare. Will it continue to exist or will it merge into Lufthansa’s Miles&More?

Fleet Modernization Strategy: 100 Next-Generation Aircraft by 2030

Although the business plan states that for the next five years ITA Airways’ fleet will remain close around the 100 aircraft mark, that doesn’t mean there won’t be anything going on.

The fleet will continue to evolve over the next years. This is what I personally think will change:

• The percentage of wide body, long haul flight capable planes, will increase in relation to the narrow body fleet. It’s inevitable if the plan is to increase long range flights without increasing the overall fleet size. ITA Airways states in its press release there will be one additional long-haul aircraft per year joining the fleet.
• New generation high efficiency aircraft (A350, A321neo, A220 etc.) will continue to join the ITA Airways fleet, pushing out older less efficient planes even among the narrow body fleet.

As long haul operations grow ITA Airways states it will also look to expand its workforce in an careful and organic fashion. A MO (modus operandi) which rarely could be associated to Alitalia.

What This Means for Passengers: Enhanced Connectivity and Service Excellence

In a nutshell that we should expect more and better connectivity towards Italy and Europe in coming years. ITA Airways will be launching new long haul flights offering convenient one stop itineraries to Europe as a whole via Rome Fiumicino. Also the entry in Star Alliance and the JVs alongside Lufthansa will also help in this regard. The future seems to be looking brighter for Italy’s flag carrier.