Eberhart (Ita Airways): 'Tickets 5-10% more expensive due to jet fuel'

As the industry tries to assess the effects of the crisis, ITA Airways is preparing to complete the entry of Lufthansa into its capital. On 1 June, the German airline exercised its option to increase its stake in ITA from 41% to 90%, effective in the first quarter of 2027.

Subsequently, the joint venture with United Airlines and Air Canada will be worked on, subject to approval by the US Department of Transportation probably by summer 2027. Meanwhile, Ita Airways has joined the Europe Japan alliance with Lufthansa and All Nippon.

The remaining 10% of the capital is tied to a 'final call option' exercisable between 2028 and 2033. "I hope that this share will remain in the hands of the Italia state, but it will be up to Lufthansa to decide whether to go up to 100 per cent," Eberhart said.

In the meantime, the company has to manage operational challenges, starting with the uncertainty over the development of jet fuel prices and demand. "We have not made any decisions yet because we are covered until the end of the year. It is other carriers that have to act now. If the situation does not improve, with rising prices and Hormuz still closed, we may have to consider a reduction in capacity from January 2027. Much will also depend on hedging strategies for 2027, which will inevitably be more expensive'.

The economic difficulties are compounded by structural ones related to the Pratt & Whitney engines. The problem is forcing ITA Airways to keep about 20 Airbus A320neo aircraft on the ground, with an estimated economic loss of $150 million. A situation that is taking its toll and for which no end is in sight, which is why the airline will decide within the next few weeks whether to take legal action against P&W because of the long waiting times for inspections and repairs. "We are in negotiations with Pratt & Whitney, but what has been proposed to us so far is not enough to compensate for the damages incurred."

The shortage of aircraft is also creating difficulties in feeder traffic to long-haul flights. ITA Airways has been looking for agreements with other carriers for months and has recently reached agreements with Volotea and Aeroitalia.

An interline agreement has been signed with the company led by Gaetano Intrieri that will allow the two carriers to market, within the same itinerary, flights operated by the other company, for example from Sicily and Sardinia, with a single ticket, and a codeshare agreement is not excluded in the future.

Regarding the trademark dispute, after Aeroitalia had expressed interest in the former Alitalia logo, Eberhart commented: 'The matter remains in the hands of the lawyers. In the meantime the livery has been changed and we continue with the commercial agreement. I am convinced that a solution will be found sooner or later. I prefer to focus on the future rather than on the burdens of the past'.

In the future of ITA Airways is the growth of the long-haul network. By October or November, connections to Caracas, Venezuela, could start, while the consolidation of the expansion in South America will be linked to the arrival of two new Airbus A350s in the fleet, scheduled to start in 2028. Against this backdrop, plans for new destinations such as Lima and Santiago de Chile could take shape, along with an expansion of existing routes such as Rio de Janeiro, currently served by a daily flight, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires. However, the company's sights are also set on other strategic markets such as Japan and the United States. On the Middle East front, on the other hand, from 1 July the connection to Tel Aviv will resume, which will be served with two flights a day.

On the union front, the renewal of the collective contract appears close. "I hope that within a few weeks we can reach an agreement on the renewal of the contract for all categories: pilots, flight attendants and ground staff. Much will depend on the reasonableness of the parties. When costs rise, it is necessary for everyone to act responsibly'.