There was a lot of skepticism about the possibility for Ita, the post-Alitalia company, to grow from 52 departure planes to 105 in four years, but yesterday Ita began to move in this direction, signing a “memorandum of understanding” with Airbus for the purchase of 28 aircraft: 10 Airbus A330neo, 7 of the Airbus A220 family and 11 of the A320neo family (for the latter, deliveries will begin after completion of the Business Plan). In addition, ITA has also signed an agreement with the company Air Lease Corporation for the leasing supply of another 31 new generation Airbus aircraft, including long, medium and short range aircraft.
Overall, ITA will acquire 56 leased Airbus aircraft over the course of the plan at significantly more advantageous conditions than those reserved for Alitalia.
The first new Airbuses will enter the fleet as early as the first quarter of 2022; and at the end of 2025, 70% of the ITA fleet will be made up of new generation aircraft, with technologies that reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. ITA will also introduce the use of new types of sustainable fuels on Airbuses.
The use of aircraft produced by a single manufacturer makes it possible to overcome the limitations on flexibility in the management of crews and to obtain greater efficiency in the supply of spare parts and in maintenance activities.