• New direct service to the United Arab Emirates operated by the state-of-the-art Airbus A321neo
• As ambassador of “Made in Italy”, ITA Airways revealed the highlights of its brand, its network and the winter season during a media event in Dubai

ITA Airways has launched its first route to the United Arab Emirates with a non-stop flight between Dubai and Rome Fiumicino. The leading Italian carrier will operate this connection daily.

ITA Airways’ inaugural flight from Rome Fiumicino, AZ 856, operated by an Airbus A321neo, landed at Dubai International Airport (DXB) at 7:50 p.m. (local time). ITA Airways’ first flight from Dubai to Rome Fiumicino, AZ857, took off at 1:50 a.m. (local time) on Monday 28^th of October.

To mark the occasion, an inauguration ceremony was held at DXB Arrivals, attended by Pierfrancesco Carino, Vice President International Sales of ITA Airways, Benedetto Mencaroni Poiani, Regional Director for Asia, Middle East and Africa of ITA Airways, Lorenzo Fanara, Ambassador of Italy to the United Arab Emirates and Robert Whitehouse, Vice President (VP) of Research at Dubai Airports.

As part of the launch activities in the UAE market, ITA Airways presented the highlights of its network, brand and winter season to local media representatives and stakeholders at an event organized by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism at the Grand Hyatt Dubai.

The new Rome – Dubai flight represents an important step for the company, which expands its network to include a strategic market. Dubai is a global hub for business and leisure tourism, and the launch of this non-stop service demonstrates ITA Airways’ commitment to providing optimal travel solutions while reinforcing the importance of the expansion of the network in the company’s growth strategy.

Emiliana Limosani, Commercial Director of ITA Airways and CEO of Volaresaid: “We are delighted to inaugurate our non-stop service between Dubai and Rome Fiumicino. As the first major addition to our winter schedule, this new daily connection will strengthen tourism and trade between Italy and the United Arab Emirates, a strategic market not only for one-off destinations but also for connections to other national, international and intercontinental destinations via our Fiumicino hub, combining leisure and business travel. our presence in the Middle East, complementing our non-stop services to Riyadh and Jeddah, previously launched this summer.

Lorenzo Fanara, Italian Ambassador to the United Arab Emiratessaid: “I am pleased to welcome ITA Airways’ first flight from Rome to Dubai. The continued growth in the number of Italian nationals living in the UAE, significant tourist flows in both directions and the expansion of Italian exports to the thriving Gulf market make this new connection between Rome and Dubai a timely and far-sighted decision.

Robert Whitehouse, vice president of research at Dubai Airportssaid: “We are delighted to welcome ITA Airways to DXB, expanding our network and strengthening connections between Dubai and Italy. This new launch not only opens Dubai to more Italian visitors, but also offers seamless onward travel across DXB’s extensive global network. We look forward to welcoming guests eager to explore the dynamic destinations and hundreds of cities we are connected to around the world.

THE new direct flight from Dubai has Rome-Fiumicino will be operated as follows:

• Dubai – Rome Fiumicino, operational from October 28 with departure at 1:50 a.m. (local time) and arrival in Rome at 6:00 a.m. (local time).
• Rome Fiumicino – Dubai, operational from October 27 with departure at 10:40 a.m. (local time) and arrival in Dubai at 7:50 p.m. (local time).

This new route is served by the state-of-the-art Airbus A321neo, the first narrow-body aircraft in the ITA Airways fleet configured with three distinct classes: Business Class (12 seats), Premium Economy (12 seats) and Economy. (141 seats, including 12 Comfort Economy seats). The A321neo is known for its fuel efficiency, consuming more than 20% less fuel than previous models, and operates quietly. The aircraft also features a custom ITA Airways interior design, upgraded lighting and spacious overhead compartments, as well as the latest in-flight entertainment systems, with ‘on-demand’ video and audio, 17.3” (business ), 15.6” (Premium Economy) and 13.3” (Economy) with low reflectivity and 4K resolution touchscreens for a simple, fluid and intuitive user experience.

ITA Airways’ fleet is comprised entirely of Airbus aircraft, with 100 aircraft currently in service. Sixty of them are new generation models, including 7 A321neo, 19 A320neo, 9 A220-300, 8 A220-100, 11 A330-900 and 6 A350-900. Sustainability is at the heart of ITA Airways’ vision, with the airline aiming for 90% of its fleet to be environmentally friendly by the end of its 2023-2027 strategic plan. These advanced aircraft burn 25% less fuel and produce fewer CO₂ emissions, aligning with the airline’s goal to become Europe’s greenest carrier.

As part of the continued expansion of its network, ITA Airways serves 53 destinations during the 2024/2025 winter season, including 15 domestic, 23 international and 15 intercontinental routes.

Following the launch of the Dubai route, ITA Airways’ winter season will also introduce a new direct flight to Bangkok, marking the airline’s debut in Thailand, starting November 16 with five weekly frequencies on the Airbus A330neo. Additionally, from December 20, 2024, ITA Airways will offer up to five weekly frequencies between Rome and Malé, the capital of the Maldives, operated by the Airbus A330-900.

ITA Airways started operations on October 15, 2021 with a fleet of 52 aircraft. The company is committed to being an ambassador of “Made in Italy” by offering personalized services and providing a typically Italian in-flight experience. This is achieved through partnerships with leading Italian brands, such as Brunello Cucinelli, who designed the crew and ground staff uniforms, Walter De Silva, who designed the interiors of ITA’s new aircraft Airways, and renowned Italian chefs, who create the on-board dining offerings. .

All ITA Airways flights can be purchased on the ita-airways.com website, via the ITA Airways customer center, travel agencies and airport ticket offices.

For press information:

Pietro Caldaroni, director of communications and institutional relations

Email: [email protected]

About ITA Airways

ITA Airways is a company entirely owned by the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance for the exercise of activities in the air transport sector. ITA Airways aims to create an efficient and innovative air carrier that will become a benchmark in providing Italy with quality connectivity both at the level of international destinations, thus stimulating tourism and foreign trade, and within the country, also taking advantage of the rail-air advantage. integrated mobility. ITA Airways will place the best customer service at the center of its strategy (through strong digitalization of processes ensuring a top-notch experience and personalized services), combined with sustainability, in its environment (new green and technologically advanced aircraft, use of sustainable fuels), social (equality and inclusion for a gender neutral company) and governance (integration of sustainability into internal strategies and processes). ITA Airways has been a member of the SkyTeam alliance since October 2021.

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