Summary

  • ITA Airways has launched flights from Rome, Italy, to Accra, Ghana.
  • The flights, operated by an Airbus A321neo, highlight the airline’s entrance into the sub-Saharan market.
  • With an impeding merger with the Lufthansa Group, ITA Airways would have to compete with Brussels Airlines, which is the group’s African expert.

ITA Airways has begun services between Rome Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and Accra Kotoka International Airport (ACC), launching the flights connecting the two capital cities with an Airbus A321neo. The first flight on the route landed at ACC at 19:37 local time (UTC +0) on June 6, 2024.

An increasingly strategic sub-Saharan market

The airline highlighted that a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the arrival gates at ACC on June 6, with politicians and airline and airport executives attending the event. ITA Airways noted that ACC was its first sub-Saharan destination, with the market becoming increasingly important in its operations.

ITA Airways ribbon-cutting ceremony at ACC

Photo: ITA Airways

According to Emiliana Limosani, the chief commercial officer (CCO) at ITA Airways and the chief executive officer (CEO) of the airline’s loyalty program Volare, the airline was proud to launch these flights connecting FCO and ACC. The Italian executive added that this is the only direct connection between Italy and Ghana, which represents a significant step for the carrier since it was its first African destination.

The CCO praised the African market, highlighting its potential and allowing ITA Airways to open the door to the continent, with ITA Airways’ flights enabling customers to reach other destinations within both countries.

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Operated by an Airbus A321neo

ITA Airways will operate the return itinerary with an Airbus A321neo three times a week. While the airline noted the type’s efficiency and sustainability, the carrier’s A321neos are configured in a three-class layout: 12 business class, 12 premium economy, and 141 economy class, including 12 comfort economy seats.

The Italian airline pointed out that its Airbus A321neos have the Airspace Cabin, which includes new colors and materials, latest-generation seats, and XL overhead bins. Each seat comes with an in-flight entertainment (IFE) screen, offering on-demand video and audio content, with business class passengers seeing the largest screen in front of their seats.

Delivery of ITA Airways first Airbus A321neo

Photo: ITA Airways

With the opening of flights to ACC, ITA Airways’ summer schedule will have 57 destinations, including 16 domestic, 26 international, and 15 intercontinental routes being served by the Italian carrier. During the peak summer season, it will operate flights to an additional 12 destinations, mainly tourist spots along the Mediterranean in Greece, Spain, Croatia, and Italian islands.

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Conflicting strategy

However, with the upcoming merger with Lufthansa Group, the growth opportunities within Africa could be limited for ITA Airways. The group has deployed Brussels Airlines as its flagship airline on flights between Europe and Africa, with the Belgium-based carrier describing itself as the “Africa expert” within the Lufthansa Group.

ITA Airways - A321neo take off

Photo: Airbus

According to data from the aviation analytics company Cirium, Lufthansa Group airlines, including Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Lufthansa, and SWISS, have scheduled 189 weekly one-way frequencies between Europe and Africa, with Lufthansa (82 weekly departures) and Brussels Airlines (62 weekly departures) leading the pack of the group’s carriers.

Meanwhile, ITA Airways has 39 weekly frequencies to four African destinations: ACC, Algiers International Airport Houari Boumediene (ALG), Cairo International Airport (CAI), and Tunis-Carthage International Airport (TUN).

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