ITA Airways, the Italian national airline, has announced that it will restart its flights between Tel Aviv and Rome from March 1, 2024. The airline will offer three weekly flights, with the possibility of increasing the frequency during the summer season, depending on the geopolitical situation. The resumption of flights is part of the airline’s strategy to expand its international network and to strengthen its ties with Israel.
ITA Airways, which stands for Italia Trasporto Aereo, is the successor of Alitalia, the former flag carrier of Italy, which ceased operations in October 2023. ITA Airways was established in July 2023, after receiving approval from the European Commission and the Italian government. The airline inherited some of the assets and liabilities of Alitalia, such as aircraft, slots, and staff, but also launched a new brand identity, logo, and website.
ITA Airways aims to become a competitive and profitable airline, with a focus on quality, sustainability, and innovation. The airline operates a fleet of 52 aircraft, including Airbus A319, A320, A321, and A330, and Boeing 777. The airline serves 61 destinations in 31 countries, covering domestic, European, and intercontinental routes. The airline also plans to join a global airline alliance in the near future.
Tel Aviv-Rome: A Strategic Route for ITA Airways
The route between Tel Aviv and Rome is one of the most important and historic routes for ITA Airways, as it connects two major cultural, economic, and political centers in the Mediterranean region. The route was first launched by Alitalia in 1958, and has been operated continuously until October 2023, when the airline stopped flying due to its financial crisis.
ITA Airways decided to resume the route from March 1, 2024, after obtaining the necessary authorizations from the Italian and Israeli authorities. The airline will operate three weekly flights, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, using Airbus A320 aircraft. The flights will depart from Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport at 15:20 and arrive at Rome Fiumicino Airport at 18:05. The flights will depart from Rome at 10:00 and arrive at Tel Aviv at 14:20.
The airline expects to increase the frequency of flights during the summer season, depending on the demand and the geopolitical situation. The airline also hopes to offer convenient connections to its passengers, especially those traveling from Israel to North America, via its hub in Rome.
A Boost for Tourism and Trade Between Italy and Israel
The resumption of flights between Tel Aviv and Rome is expected to boost tourism and trade between Italy and Israel, two countries that have close and friendly relations. According to the Italian National Institute of Statistics, Italy was the fourth largest trading partner of Israel in 2022, with a bilateral trade volume of 4.2 billion euros. The main exports from Italy to Israel were machinery, vehicles, and chemicals, while the main imports from Israel to Italy were pharmaceuticals, electronic equipment, and diamonds.
According to the Israel Ministry of Tourism, Italy was the seventh largest source of tourists to Israel in 2022, with 308,000 visitors, an increase of 11% compared to 2021. The main attractions for Italian tourists in Israel were Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, the Dead Sea, and the Galilee. The main attractions for Israeli tourists in Italy were Rome, Venice, Florence, and Milan.
The resumption of flights between Tel Aviv and Rome is also expected to enhance the cultural and academic exchanges between Italy and Israel, as both countries have rich and diverse heritage, art, and education. The two countries have signed several agreements and memoranda of understanding in various fields, such as science, technology, innovation, health, agriculture, and culture.
For more information about ITA Airways, please visit www.ita-airways.com.
