ITA Airways Resumes Flights to Tel Aviv: A Step Towards Strengthened Ties
ITA Airways, the Italian flag carrier, is set to reinstate its flight operations to Tel Aviv, Israel, starting from March 1st, 2024. This resumption marks a significant step in re-establishing the airline's presence in the region, with an initial schedule of three weekly flights and prospects for increased frequency during the summer.
Strategic Flight Resumption amid Geopolitical Challenges
The airline will operate flights every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, connecting Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) with Ben Gurion Airport (TLV). This decision, following coordination with Italian and Israeli authorities, reflects ITA Airways' commitment to fostering commercial, social, and cultural relations between Italy and Israel.
ITA Airways had ceased its operations to Tel Aviv on October 7, in response to regional conflicts. According to Flightradar24 data, the last flight to Tel Aviv before the pause was operated using the Airbus A320 fleet. The resumption comes as a part of a broader trend, with eight European airlines, including Lufthansa Group and Air France, also reinstating their flights to Israel this month.
ITA Airways' Expanding Middle Eastern and African Network
The airline's growth strategy extends beyond Tel Aviv, with recent additions to its Middle Eastern network including Jeddah (JED), Riyadh (RUH), and Kuwait (KWI). Furthermore, ITA Airways is expanding into Africa with new routes to Accra (ACC) in Ghana and Dakar (DSS) in Senegal. These expansions demonstrate the carrier's ambition to enhance its global footprint.
Navigating Future Plans Amidst Ongoing Conflict
ITA Airways' further expansion in Israel hinges on the evolving geopolitical scenario. The ongoing conflict in the region poses a potential challenge to the airline's planned increase in flight frequencies. Nevertheless, ITA Airways' renewed presence in Tel Aviv signifies a resilient approach in maintaining and strengthening international air travel connections.