Finance
Italy's Ita Airways to Save Jet Fuel With AI-powered Tool
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 23, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 23, 2026
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ITA Airways, part of Lufthansa Group, will use SITA’s AI-driven OptiFlight tool to optimize climb profiles, aiming to save over 7,100 tons of jet fuel and reduce more than 22,100 tons of CO₂ across 2025–26. This comes as airlines face surging fuel costs from $85–90 to $150–200 per barrel, driven by
ITA Airways Adopts AI to Cut Jet Fuel Use and Emissions, Targets Savings by 2026
ITA Airways Implements AI Technology for Fuel Efficiency and Emission Reduction
Overview of ITA Airways' AI Initiative
ROME, April 23 (Reuters) - Italian carrier ITA Airways, part of the Lufthansa group, said on Thursday it will save jet fuel and reduce emissions thanks to an AI tool that improves aircraft flight performance.
Industry Challenges and Economic Pressures
Airlines have been among the hardest hit by the he U.S.-Israeli war with Iran as higher jet fuel prices are forcing them to raise fares, add fuel surcharges or ground aircraft as well as revise their financial outlooks.
Projected Savings and Environmental Impact
• ITA said it is on track to deliver more than 7,100 tons of fuel savings, and over 22,100 tons of CO2, across 2025 and 2026.
How SITA's OptiFlight AI Tool Works
Technical Features of OptiFlight
• SITA's OptiFlight, rolled out across the group's fleet, calculates the most efficient climb profile - the combination of airspeed, acceleration, power and gradual gain in altitude from takeoff to cruising altitude - for each flight, using predictive analytics, machine learning and 4D weather data.
Statements from ITA and SITA Leadership
ITA Airways' Commitment to Sustainability
• "(It) allows us to achieve significant fuel‑saving and emissions reductions without compromising efficiency or safety. This initiative is part of our broader commitment to more sustainable and responsible aviation, ITA Chief Innovation Officer Francesco Presicce said in a statement.
SITA's Perspective on Industry Challenges
• "The aviation industry faces the urgent challenge of reducing emissions while maintaining operational efficiency," Yann Cabaret, CEO of SITA for Aircraft, said in the same statement.
• He added: "Fuel consumption is one of the biggest hurdles for airlines facing increasing regulatory and environmental pressures, and with it being one of the biggest costs in day-to-day operations, the need for intelligent solutions has never been greater".
Rising Jet Fuel Prices and Industry Impact
Financial Implications for Airlines
• Jet fuel prices have soared from $85 to $90 per barrel to $150 to $200 per barrel in recent weeks, a financial hit for an industry where fuel accounts for up to a quarter of operating expenses.
(Reporting by Giulia Segreti; Editing by Alvise Armellini and Susan Fenton)
Key Takeaways
- •ITA Airways to deploy SITA OptiFlight AI tool for fuel‑efficient climb profiles, saving both fuel and emissions (7,100 tons fuel; 22,100 tons CO₂ by 2025–26) (sita.aero)
- •Jet fuel prices have more than doubled—from around $85–90 to $150–200 per barrel—straining airline margins and prompting fare hikes, surcharges, and capacity cuts globally (finance.yahoo.com)
- •Airlines are responding with operational and financial measures—from checked baggage fee increases to route reductions—to offset escalating fuel expenses, highlighting the urgency for AI‑based efficiency tools like OptiFlight (apnews.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Italy's ITA Airways to save jet fuel with AI-powered tool
1How will ITA Airways save jet fuel with AI?
ITA Airways will use an AI tool, SITA's OptiFlight, to optimize flight profiles and predict the most efficient ascent, improving fuel efficiency.
2What are the projected fuel and emissions savings for ITA Airways?
ITA Airways aims to save over 7,100 tons of jet fuel and cut more than 22,100 tons of CO2 emissions across 2025 and 2026.
3How does the AI tool SITA's OptiFlight work?
OptiFlight uses predictive analytics, machine learning, and 4D weather data to calculate optimal climb profiles for each flight.
4Why is reducing jet fuel consumption important for airlines?
Jet fuel costs make up a significant portion of airline expenses; rising prices and environmental regulations make fuel efficiency critical.
5What impact has the U.S.-Israeli conflict had on airline fuel prices?
The conflict has driven jet fuel prices up to $150–$200 per barrel, making operational costs and efficiency a major concern for airlines.
