Italy's new airline, named ITA Airways, wants to join an airline alliance and is open to offers. The new ITA Airways, the successor to Alitalia, a state-backed company, intends to join a global alliance of airlines. Rumors in the market say that the new company would be interested in Oneworld or Star Alliance, less in SkyTeam.
"I'm open to negotiating with everyone"ITA President Alfredo Altavilla acknowledged at the launch of the airline. "The ITA was created to be a strategic element in one of the large networks that already exist in the sectorHe said, adding that the startupit cannot be an independent operator forever ”.
In late August, a SkyTeam spokesman said Executive Traveler that the alliance "is currently partnering with Italia Trasporto Aereo (ITA), Alitalia's successor, to provide SkyTeam's 700 million customers with extensive connectivity."But despite Alitalia's links to SkyTeam, ITA could choose another alliance.
Some say ITA Airways could opt for Star Alliance, the world's largest group of airlines. The new partnership with Lufthansa could facilitate ITA's accession to the Star Alliance. After the US, Italy is one of the largest foreign markets, as noted by Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr.
Others say ITA could choose Oneworld, thanks to a possible partnership with Qatar Airways. Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker mentioned that the alliance is eager to add new members.
ITA Airways debuted on October 15, in a form restricted to the late Alitalia. It will initially have a fleet of 52 aircraft and will fly 61 routes to 42 destinations, including 21 in Italy. By 2025, the ITA Airways plan shows an increase in the operational network to 89 routes.