TravTalk India Online Magazine
ITA Airways commemorates its first year in India with remarkable growth, expanding from three flights per week to a daily service between Delhi and Rome. Keeping in view the evolving travel landscape in India, the Italian airline plans further expansion in the country, with Mumbai being the next destination on its radar.
Janice Alyosius
ITA Airways has achieved a significant milestone in India. The Italian airline celebrated its first anniversary of operations in the country. The airline’s journey in India began with a schedule of three flights per week from Delhi to Rome. After a successful year, ITA Airways has added four more flights and now flies between Delhi and Rome daily.
Vincenzo de Luca, Ambassador of Italy to India, is elated over the airline’s success. “2023 marks a tremendous success for ITA in both India and Italy, signifying a flourishing relationship between the two countries. Our bilateral trade has doubled compared to 2020, showcasing the growth in our partnership,” he said.
He emphasized on the increasing number of visas for Indians travelling to Italy, citing that the number could reach the pre-COVID levels in 2024. He also stressed on the diverse experiences that Italy has to offer to the Indian travellers, ranging from cuisine, fashion, design, and heritage. He commended ITA Airways for offering an immersive introduction to Italy’s richness, encapsulating the essence of the country even before arrival. “I’m confident that the number of flights and visitors will continue to increase, following the already rising trend in visa issuances,” he said.
Benedetto Mencaroni Poiani, Regional Manager for Asia, the Middle East, and Africa (AMEA), ITA Airways, highlighted the airline’s rapid growth within a year. “Looking ahead, we are poised for further growth, with plans to expand our fleet and destinations in 2024, focusing on the Middle East and Africa. We are also strengthening our presence in North and South America, emphasizing on our crucial connection to Italy through Rome’s Fiumicino hub. This hub connects us to 23 domestic destinations in Italy and numerous European cities,” Poiani said.
Fabio Bigotti, Country Manager for India and Japan, ITA Airways, recalled the airline’s journey from three flights per week to a daily service in just a year. Bigotti expressed interest in further exploring the Indian market, saying that they have plans to operate from other Indian cities like Mumbai. He also emphasized on the shift in Indian travellers’ booking behaviour. Increasingly Indians are booking their trip closer to the departure date, he revealed.
Bigotti also emphasized on ITA Airways’ strong relationship with travel agencies, Online Travel Agents (OTAs), and Travel Management Companies (TMCs) in India. “We maintain a close working relationship with top travel agents, consolidators, OTAs, and TMCs in India, catering to both leisure and business segments. Our business class has seen excellent results, and we are focused on increasing our presence in the corporate market and among business travellers,” he said.
Speaking of expansion plans, Bigotti said, “Presently, our Airbus 330 accommodates 250 seats per aircraft: 20 in business class, 17 in premium economy, and 213 in economy class. We are interested in exploring more in the Indian market. While evaluating future aircraft availability, we are considering potential operations from other cities, with Mumbai being a significant consideration.”
Talking about the post-COVID change in travelllers’ behaviour, Poiani said, “There have been notable changes in passenger behaviour and market dynamics. We have responded by adapting our strategies to accommodate the evolving needs of passengers, especially in markets like India, where late booking behaviour is prominent.”
