By Vincenzo Claudio Piscopo
ITA Airways has partnered with digital travel leader Booking.com, according to a statement from the carrier on August 23, 2023. Customers of the Italian flag carrier can now book flights and accommodations directly on the airline’s website, with a choice of over 28 million accommodations worldwide.
Booking.com is a popular online travel agency and platform allowing users to book hotels, apartments, villas, hostels, and accommodations. Booking.com was founded in 1996. Originally named “Bookings.nl,” it was established in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 2005, Booking.com was acquired by the Priceline Group (now known as Booking Holdings), which further fueled its growth and international reach.
The over one million members of the Volare loyalty program are set to benefit from a new partnership between ITA Airways and Booking.com. As part of the deal, customers will earn four Volare points for every euro they spend on bookings made through the program. The move aligns with ITA Airways’ customer-centric approach, a key focus since the airline launched in October 2021. The aim is to enhance the overall travel experience for customers, and this partnership is just one example of the airline’s commitment to achieving this goal.
ITA Airways is still expanding its fleet
On Aug. 26, ITA Airways received the fifth Airbus 220/300 designated EI-HHM at Rome Fiumicino, coming from London Stansted where it stopped after a 9-hour flight from Montreal Mirabel Airport. This state-of-the-art aircraft was baptized in honor of the legendary Alessandro Mazzola, a former Italian footballer recognized for his versatility as both a midfielder and striker. He famously led the Italian national team to a European Championship victory in 1968 and served as vice-world champion in 1970.
Compared to other airplanes in production, the Airbus A220 has an advantage in operating costs and fuel consumption of 15% and 20%, respectively. Different strengths are lower CO2 (-20%) and NOx (-50%) emissions compared to other models in the same category, also ensuring a 75% reduction in noise pollution. This aircraft is the first A220/300 built for ITA Airways in blue livery, not an aircraft previously assigned to another carrier.
ITA Airways’ fleet currently consists of 71 aircraft in service, with an average age of 8 and a half years. In 2025, after the investment of around €450 million by the Lufthansa Group, the goal is to reach a fleet of 94 aircraft with 5,500 employees.
The Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance could retain only 10% or one representative on the board of directors. Recently, the Italian airline appointed its new Board of Directors, restricted from five to three directors as per agreements between the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance and the German group Lufthansa. ITA Airways’ business plan envisages revenue growth of €2.5 billion in 2023 and €4.1 billion expected in 2027.
Vincenzo graduated in 2019 in Mechanical Engineering with an aeronautical curriculum, focusing his thesis on Human Factors in aircraft maintenance. In 2022 he pursued his master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Palermo, Italy. He combines his journalistic activities with his work as a Reliability Engineer at Zetalab.
