Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on July 30, 2025
1 min readLast updated: January 22, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleITA Airways reveals a 2026-2030 plan focusing on long-haul expansion and deeper ties with Lufthansa, aiming to enhance global connectivity.
ROME (Reuters) -The board of ITA Airways has approved a 2026-2030 business plan focused on long-haul expansion, fleet renewal, and closer integration with shareholder Lufthansa, it said in a statement on Wednesday.
The Italian carrier, majority-owned by the government and 41% by Lufthansa, aims to launch more intercontinental routes from Rome, targeting North America, South America, Asia, and Africa to boost tourism and trade.
The airline also plans to modernize its fleet, adding one new long-haul aircraft per year from 2026, with the goal of operating around 100 next-generation jets by 2030.
ITA expects deeper synergies with Lufthansa, including joining Star Alliance in 2026 and participating in joint ventures for transatlantic and Japanese routes.
"We are laying the groundwork to continue being Italy's reference carrier with a strategic role for the national economic system and to increase connectivity with the rest of the world," said chairman Sandro Pappalardo.
ITA CEO Joerg Eberhart said the strategy would create jobs and generate a positive economic impact for the air transport
industry.
(Reporting by Angelo AmanteEditing by Keith Weir)
The primary focus of ITA Airways' new business plan is long-haul expansion, fleet renewal, and closer integration with Lufthansa.
ITA Airways plans to add one new long-haul aircraft per year starting in 2026, aiming to operate around 100 next-generation jets by 2030.
ITA Airways expects to deepen synergies with Lufthansa, including joining Star Alliance in 2026 and participating in joint ventures for transatlantic and Japanese routes.
ITA Airways anticipates that its new strategy will create jobs and generate a positive economic impact for the air transport industry.
ITA Airways is targeting North America, South America, Asia, and Africa for its new intercontinental routes from Rome.
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