ITA Airways has launched a new direct flight route between Rome and Jeddah, further strengthening its presence in Saudi Arabia.
This marks the airline’s second destination in the Kingdom for the Summer 2024 season, following the recent introduction of a nonstop connection to Riyadh.
The inaugural flight from Rome Fiumicino Airport touched down at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport, greeted with a traditional water arch salute, symbolizing the significance of this new connection. The flight, operated by an Airbus A321neo, is set to run three times weekly, providing passengers with a convenient and efficient link between these two historic cities.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the arrival gate in Jeddah, attended by prominent figures such as Irene Buongiorno, Vice Consul General of Italy in Jeddah, Rashed Al-Shammari, Vice President of Aviation Development at the Air Connectivity Program, and Glen Wilson, Vice President of Operations at Jeddah Airports. This gathering underscored the importance of this new route in fostering stronger ties between Italy and Saudi Arabia.
Emiliana Limosani, Chief Commercial Officer of ITA Airways and CEO of Volare, expressed the airline’s excitement about the new route, stating, “We are delighted to inaugurate our first nonstop flight between Jeddah and Rome, strengthening our presence in Saudi Arabia, a rapidly growing market. This new opening follows the launch of the nonstop connection to Riyadh in June and is part of our ongoing summer network expansion, which boasts excellent booking results.”
The new route is expected to enhance both commercial and cultural exchanges between Italy and Saudi Arabia. It also provides passengers with seamless connections to ITA Airways’ extensive network of destinations across Europe and the Americas via its hub at Rome Fiumicino.
Mazin Johar, CEO of Jeddah Airports, and Majid Khan, CEO of the Air Connectivity Program, welcomed the new service, emphasizing its potential to boost tourism and business between the two regions. “Travelers from ITA Airways’ network in Italy, Europe, and the Americas will enjoy a more seamless journey to explore the untapped potential of Jeddah,” they stated, looking forward to strengthening their collaboration with ITA Airways.
The new flight route is operated by the state-of-the-art Airbus A321neo, known for its fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. The aircraft is configured with three separate cabins—Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy—offering passengers comfort and elegance, with interiors designed by the renowned Italian designer Walter de Silva.
The introduction of this route is part of ITA Airways’ broader expansion strategy, which includes new destinations in North America, Africa, and soon, Asia, with upcoming flights to Dubai and Bangkok. This summer marks a season of significant growth for ITA Airways, with the airline now operating 57 destinations, including 16 domestic, 26 international, and 15 intercontinental routes.
As ITA Airways continues to expand its global footprint, the new Rome-Jeddah route represents a significant milestone in connecting Europe with the Middle East, offering travelers more options and enhancing cultural and commercial ties between the two regions.
