• 

  ITA Airways

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  AZ/ITY

  Airline Type:

  Full Service Carrier

  Hub(s):

  Rome Fiumicino Airport

  Year Founded:

  2020

  Alliance:

  SkyTeam

  CEO:

  Fabio Lazzerini

  Country:

  Italy

On May 20th, a freshly painted and configured Airbus A350 was delivered from Airbus' facilities in Toulouse, to ITA Airways' main hub at Rome Fiumicino airport. The completion of the 80-minute flight marks the delivery of the Italian carrier's 2nd Airbus A350-900 as it continues to build its new, modern, and efficient fleet of aircraft.

Flight details

The ITA Airways aircraft, an A350-900 with registration EI-IFB and MSN 270, flew from Toulouse to Rome on May 20th at 12:25. Flying with flight number AZ8020, the aircraft headed out over the south coast of France, overflying Marseille along the way. After just around 78 minutes, the aircraft landed at Rome's Fiumicino airport at 13:43.

New to ITA, but not at all a new aircraft

If you've been following MSNs (manufacturer serial numbers) of aircraft, you might have noticed that this "new delivery" has a fairly low (early) MSN. That's because the aircraft, while new to ITA Airways, isn't exactly a newly built aircraft. Indeed, the jet is now about three-and-a-half years old.

According to data from Planespotters.net, the aircraft was actually ordered for Hong Kong Airlines. However, the jet was never taken up. Hong Kong Airlines announced in 2017 that it would acquire 21 A350s, including 15 purchased directly from Airbus and six on lease from third-party lessors. However, this was far from realized, as the operator only really took delivery of one A350 - which currently sits in storage in Alice Springs. This move from Hong Kong Airlines is likely a result of the 2019 pro-democracy protests and the pandemic which followed the year after.

First spotted in Hong Kong Airlines livery in February of 2021, MSN 270 actually had its first test flight all the way back at the end of November 2018. Over the years this jet remained under the care of Airbus, receiving routine engine runs, taxi checks, and test flights while moving in and out of storage. It wasn't until March 24th, 2022 that the aircraft was first spotted in its new ITA Airways colors - its distinct "House of Savoy" blue.

Other A350s on the way

According to ch-aviation.com, ITA Airways is expecting to take a total of seven A350-900s. Indeed, the Italian carrier signed a lease contract with Kuwaiti lessor ALAFCO for four of the widebodies, due for delivery in the second and third quarters. The website also notes that additional incoming A350s will have MSNs 285, 323, and 338. All of these jets flew for the first time in 2019 but have since been storage and have been parked at Teruel airport.

Prior to the most recent May 20th delivery, the airline already had one A350, which it took delivery of on May 11th. This jet had MSN 308 and is registered EI-IFA. This jet was initially ordered by Hainan Airlines Group, the parent company of Hong Kong Airlines.

With the first ITA Airways A350 delivered given the name "Valentino Rossi," the newest arrival has been named "Marcello Lippi." While it's the airline's second A350 delivered, it was actually the jet that was used to first reveal the airline's livery on an A350 back in late March.

Sources: AIB Family Flights, FlightRadar24.com, ch-aviation.com