ROME- ITA Airways (AZ) is preparing to return to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) with proposed flights to Lima, Peru (LIM), marking a significant change in its long-haul network strategy and strengthening its presence in northern Italy.
The move comes as Emirates (EK) seeks additional fifth-freedom rights to operate between Milan and Lima. ITA plans to use Airbus A350 aircraft operating from Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO), allowing it to serve Milan without establishing a separate long-haul operating base.
ITA Airways Plans Milan-Lima Flights to Challenge Emirates
ITA Airways is preparing to reintroduce long-haul services from Milan Malpensa to counter Emirates’ expansion plans in the Italian market. The airline’s proposed operation would connect Milan with Lima using aircraft already assigned to its Rome-based long-haul network.
According to a November 3 report by Corriere della Sera, the airline is considering an aircraft rotation connecting Rome, Lima and Milan through a so-called W-shaped operating pattern.
Under the proposed arrangement, an Airbus A350 would depart Rome Fiumicino for Lima. The same aircraft would then fly from Lima to Milan Malpensa, return to Lima from Milan and finally operate the sector back to Rome.
ITA Airways plans to operate three weekly flights between Rome and Lima, alongside another two or three weekly services between Lima and Milan. This arrangement would allow the airline to connect both Italian cities with Peru while maintaining a single aircraft rotation.
According to PYOK, the proposal represents a strategic response to Emirates’ application for additional fifth-freedom traffic rights between Milan and Lima. ITA would offer its own service on the same city pair, potentially reducing the competitive advantage of the Dubai-based carrier.
No New Long-Haul Base at Milan Malpensa
ITA Airways does not currently plan to establish a dedicated long-haul base at Milan Malpensa. Instead, the airline intends to operate the proposed flights using aircraft already deployed from its Rome Fiumicino hub.
This approach would avoid the additional costs associated with establishing a separate operating base, including aircraft allocation, crew positioning, ground operations and supporting infrastructure.
When ITA Airways began operations in October 2021, following the closure of Alitalia, the airline concentrated its long-haul network at Rome Fiumicino. Milan’s operations were largely focused on domestic and European services, with Milan Linate serving as its primary airport in the metropolitan region.
The strategy followed Alitalia’s financial difficulties with long-haul operations from Malpensa. ITA subsequently discontinued its Milan-New York JFK service, with its final scheduled flight operating in January 2024.
The withdrawal allowed the airline to concentrate its limited long-haul resources at Rome, where it could consolidate connecting traffic and develop its international network around a single hub.
However, Emirates’ interest in expanding its operations from Milan has created a new competitive challenge, prompting ITA to reconsider its previous approach to the northern Italian market.
Strong Passenger Demand Between Milan and Lima
Passenger demand is an important consideration behind ITA Airways’ proposed Milan-Lima connection.
According to data platforms cited by Corriere della Sera, at least 189,000 passengers travel annually between Milan and Lima through connecting airports. The corresponding annual passenger market between Rome and Lima is approximately 62,000.
These figures indicate an existing market for direct connectivity between northern Italy and Peru, although the passengers currently travel through other international hubs.
The proposed two or three weekly flights from Malpensa would provide passengers with a direct connection to Lima without requiring them to travel through Rome or another European or Middle Eastern airport.
ITA Airways Chief Executive Officer Jörg Eberhart confirmed the airline’s interest in operating from Malpensa. He indicated that the Rome-Lima offering would be larger because the route has stronger passenger demand, while the airline also wants to serve the Milan market.
Eberhart also highlighted the importance of responding to requests from industrialists and the wider business community in Milan and Lombardy.
The proposed network would therefore support both business and leisure travel between Italy and Peru while expanding ITA’s presence in South America.
Emirates Seeks Fifth-Freedom Rights From Milan
Emirates has been pursuing additional fifth-freedom traffic rights from Milan Malpensa as part of its wider international network strategy.
The airline has requested permission to operate between Milan and Lima using flights originating in Dubai. Under the proposed arrangement, Emirates could transport passengers and cargo between Italy and Peru even though it is based in the United Arab Emirates.
A fifth-freedom flight allows an airline to carry passengers or cargo between two foreign countries as part of a service that originates or terminates in its home country.
For example, Emirates operates flight EK205 between Dubai, Milan Malpensa and New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Passengers can purchase tickets specifically for the Milan-New York sector without travelling from Dubai.
Emirates already operates this fifth-freedom service from Milan. However, its proposed Lima expansion would require additional regulatory approval.
According to the November 3 report, Emirates intends to operate a daily Milan-Lima service. The airline is seeking three additional weekly frequencies beyond the four already provided for under bilateral air-service arrangements between Italy and the United Arab Emirates.
Earlier reports also indicated that Emirates had examined additional fifth-freedom opportunities from Milan to destinations including Los Angeles, São Paulo, Santiago de Chile and Mexico City.
These destinations remain reported expansion possibilities rather than confirmed routes.
Emirates has previously stated that it has no immediate plans to launch flights between Milan and Lima, despite requesting the necessary operating permissions.
Italian Airlines Oppose Emirates Expansion
Emirates’ proposed expansion has attracted opposition from Italian airlines, including ITA Airways, Neos and Aeroitalia.
These carriers have raised concerns about the competitive implications of allowing a major foreign airline to increase its fifth-freedom operations from Italy.
ITA Airways has a particular interest in protecting its developing South American network. The airline is preparing to strengthen its connections from Rome while considering additional services from Milan.
An Emirates Milan-Lima service could place further competitive pressure on ITA’s planned operation, particularly because both airlines would target passengers travelling between northern Italy and Peru.
Neos has also raised objections with Italy’s National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC), which is responsible for evaluating the regulatory request.
However, the proposal has received support from regional political and business leaders who want stronger international connectivity from Milan Malpensa.
Milan Mayor Beppe Sala and Lombardy Governor Attilio Fontana have supported the development of a direct Milan-Lima connection. Their appeal to Transport Minister Matteo Salvini also received backing from local business associations and SEA, the company operating Milan’s Malpensa and Linate airports.
This highlights the difference between the interests of Italian airlines seeking to protect their market position and regional authorities seeking additional international connectivity.
ITA Airways Still Needs to Finalise the Milan-Lima Plan
Despite confirming its interest in returning to Milan Malpensa, ITA Airways has not finalised the complete operating plan.
The airline’s management is expected to hold discussions with regional authorities, the Milan administration and local businesses to determine the most suitable operating schedule.
The possibility of financial incentives to support the launch of the new connection has also emerged, although no confirmed agreement has been announced.
The proposed W-shaped Airbus A350 operation would allow ITA to introduce Milan-Lima services without establishing a second long-haul hub. It would also give the airline a direct presence in a market where Emirates is seeking additional traffic rights.
The development could mark an important change in ITA Airways’ approach to Milan Malpensa after its withdrawal from the airport’s long-haul market in January 2024.
However, the final schedule, launch date and regulatory arrangements remain subject to further discussions.
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