ITA Airways takes delivery of 1st A350
On 12 May 2022, ITA Airways welcomed its first A350. The aircraft, A350-900 EI-IFA (308) was delivered to Rome-Fiumicino from Shannon. Since its delivery it has been flying test-flights out of Rome-Fiumicino in preparation for its entry into commercial service on 1 June. The airline will use its new flagship first on the new Rome-Fiumicino to Buenos Aires-route. Later, it will also be deployed to New York-JFK (NY).
Although this particular airframe was built in 2019, it has never seen active commercial service. It was, originally, intended to be operated by Tianjin Airlines but never delivered. In 2021 it was acquired by lessor ALAFCO, which found a home for it with ITA Airways.
In total, ITA Airways will operate eight A350-900s. Four of these are leased via ALAFCO, the other four via Air Lease Corporation.
