ITA Airways Inaugurates Direct Flights Between Rome & New Delhi

The government-owned airline is the only carrier to operate between the two cities.


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Italy's flag carrier ITA Airways, launched direct flights between its hub in Rome–Fiumicino and New Delhi over the weekend. The airline commenced the new service on Saturday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the carrier's executives and other officials.

The inaugural flight, which went out full, was operated by an Airbus A330-200 and departed from gate E11 at Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport. Passengers were also treated to a toast to celebrate the new direct service connecting the capitals of Italy and India.

Read more:  Italy In Exclusive Negotiations With Air France-KLM & Delta Over ITA Sale

A critical, international milestone

In a statement, ITA Airways' Chief Commercial Officer and CEO Volare, Emiliana Limosani, spoke about the importance of the new service regarding Italy's relationship with India.

"With the opening of this new route for the transport of passengers and cargo between Italy and India, ITA Airways is further contributing to the cultural integration and development of the economic relationship between the two countries, which have developed a solid political and commercial collaboration in recent years, with the presence of more than 600 Italian companies in India and a bilateral interchange that in 2021 reached a record value of more than 10 billion euros. We have thus taken an important step forward in the project of expanding our intercontinental network towards a fascinating destination and a market full of opportunities. In addition, thanks to the flight departing from New Delhi to Rome, our Indian customers will be able to visit not only Italy but all of Europe thanks to convenient connections offered from our Rome Fiumicino hub." - Emiliana Limosani, ITA Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer and CEO Volare

The new route will operate three times a week. New Delhi-bound flights will depart on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 14:10 and arrive at 2:00 local time. Returning flights to Rome–Fiumicino will leave every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday at 3:50 and arrive at 8:10.

Continuing its development

Since launching as a successor to Alitalia in 2020, Rome–Fiumicino International Airport has been integral to ITA's development. Ivan Bassato, Chief Aviation Officer of Aeroporti di Roma, said,

"India, with over 230 thousand passengers carried during 2019, represents a market of primary importance for our airport's intercontinental connectivity and the opening of this route confirms the importance of Italy's main airport in ITA Airways' development strategy. At the same time, it confirms the levels of attractiveness reached by the Roman hub towards airlines and passengers, in a context in which the recovery of air traffic has given new life to international destinations with reconfirmed interest in long-haul travel after two years of stop due to the Covid restrictions." - Ivan Bassato, Chief Aviation Officer of Aeroporti di Roma

ITA will use its hub for its specific strategy to expand its network in Asia and bring more Indian passengers to Italy. The airline hopes promoting its New Delhi service will appeal to India, allowing passengers to continue to other destinations in its domestic network for business or leisure travel.

Making an intercontinental footprint

The launch of direct flights comes as India and Italy celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Neena Malhotra, Ambassador of India to the Republic of Italy and San Marino, said it presents tourists with an excellent opportunity.

"I am grateful to ITA Airways for contributing to the creation of this direct connection that will improve connectivity and business relations between the two countries and give Italian tourists the opportunity to discover the wonders of India and Indian citizens the opportunity to travel easily to Italy, ensuring the highest standards of safety and sustainability," Malhotra said.

The Italy to India route is one of many new international direct flights ITA has inaugurated. The carrier already connects Rome–Fiumicino nonstop to New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Miami, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, and Tokyo.

Later this month, ITA will continue expanding in Asia with new seasonal direct flights between Rome–Fiumicino, and Malè, Maldives, through April 2023.