{"id":161159,"date":"2026-10-17T14:02:59","date_gmt":"2026-10-17T08:32:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=161159"},"modified":"2026-10-17T14:03:03","modified_gmt":"2026-10-17T08:33:03","slug":"ita-airways-leads-opposition-as-emirates-targets-new-flights-from-milan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/17\/ita-airways-leads-opposition-as-emirates-targets-new-flights-from-milan\/","title":{"rendered":"ITA Airways Leads Opposition as Emirates Targets New Flights From Milan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DUBAI-<\/strong> Emirates (EK)<\/a> is seeking fifth freedom rights to fly from Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) to Lima (LIM), and Italian airlines are joining forces to stop it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ITA Airways (AZ), Neos (NO), and Aeroitalia (XZ) have asked Italy\u2019s civil aviation authority, ENAC, to reject the request, while Lombardy leaders support the route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Emirates
Photo: Emirates<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Emirates Wants More Flying Rights From Milan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Emirates already operates one fifth freedom flight from Milan, a service to New York JFK. It now wants to add Lima. Corriere della Sera revealed in early August that Emirates asked ENAC to extend the rights it uses for the New York route to a Milan to Lima leg. The plan would extend one of its three daily Dubai to Milan flights on to Lima. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fifth freedom rights let an airline sell tickets on every leg of a journey. On a Dubai to Milan to Lima flight, Emirates could sell seats from Dubai to Milan, Dubai to Lima, and Milan to Lima.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In August, PYOK<\/a> reported that the Lima service could be the first step in a wider expansion across the Americas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reports name Los Angeles, S\u00e3o Paulo, Santiago de Chile, and Mexico City as possible further destinations. Emirates has made no decision on these routes and says it has no immediate plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lima route has a clear market behind it. About 150,000 passengers a year travel between Milan and Lima on connecting itineraries. Milan is also short of long-haul flights. When Alitalia relaunched as ITA Airways<\/a>, the new carrier concentrated its intercontinental flying in Rome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"ITA
Photo: Eurospot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Italian Airlines Ask ENAC to Block Request<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

ITA Airways, Neos<\/a>, and Aeroitalia<\/a> asked ENAC not to authorize Emirates\u2019 fifth freedom rights for the Lima leg. ITA is the new national flag carrier. It is jointly owned by Italy\u2019s Ministry of Economy and Finance and Lufthansa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neos sent ENAC a letter on October 8, signed by chairman Lupo Rattazzi, citing a competitive imbalance and the national interest. Neos argues that granting Lima would turn Malpensa into a European platform for Emirates\u2019 intercontinental flights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ITA has its own plans for the market. It is studying a Rome Fiumicino to Lima flight, possibly from summer 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not everyone in Italy opposes the plan. Lombardy governor Attilio Fontana said Malpensa deserves more routes and supports the Lima line as a link to South America and Dubai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Milan mayor Beppe Sala told ITA not to overreach and warned that Milan institutions would need to reconsider their position if obstacles appear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On October 15, Corriere della Sera reported that Fontana and Sala signed a letter asking Transport Minister Matteo Salvini to approve the route. Assolombarda, the Milan Chamber of Commerce, Fiera Milano, and airport operator SEA joined them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo: By Gabriele Bognetti – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=103856804<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Italy\u2019s Aviation Rules<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Italy and the United Arab Emirates do not have a true Open Skies agreement. Airlines from either country cannot start any route they choose, including fifth freedom services. Emirates must obtain special permission from ENAC for each one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Italypost reports that ENAC opened fifth freedom with the UAE only for cargo in July. It also says ENAC has been run by an interim commissioner since August 11.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In August, trade press expected ENAC\u2019s approval in time for the winter schedule starting October 25, but it has not arrived. The route is now envisaged for 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If Italy refuses, Emirates has options. It could move the route to Barcelona, where it already flies to Mexico City under fifth freedom. Peru and the UAE also signed an Open Skies agreement in September, which gives Emirates landing rights in Lima.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Emirates
Emirates Airbus A350 | Photo: Cl\u00e9ment Alloing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n