ITA Airways Launches Direct Route Connecting Chicago and Rome

15.04.2024 - 04:33 / breakingtravelnews.com / Leonardo Da-Vinci / Emiliana Limosani / Ita Airways / Airlines

The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) joined representatives from ITA Airways and the Consul General of Italy in Chicago to celebrate the launch of the carrier’s new service from O’Hare International Airport to Rome-Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino International Airport (FCO) in the Italian capital.

“On behalf of Mayor Brandon Johnson and the entire City of Chicago, I thank our partners at ITA Airways for their investment in the Chicago market,” said Commissioner Jamie L. Rhee of the CDA, which owns and operates Chicago O’Hare and Midway International Airports. “O’Hare is serving its largest number of Italian destinations ever in 2024, and this new route will help connect the people of Chicago to all of the rich culture and history that Rome has to offer.”

“We are proud to be here today and launch the new nonstop flight between Chicago and Rome,” said Emiliana Limosani, Chief Commercial Officer of ITA Airways and CEO Volare, who was present to celebrate the inaugural flight this afternoon. “This new destination, the seventh in North America, further enriches the intercontinental network of ITA Airways and consolidates our expansion towards the United States, which is the first international market for our Company. The multiple services from Rome Fiumicino connecting to New York, Boston, Washington, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and the newly opened Chicago enhance our efforts to be the reference carrier from the United States to Italy and via Rome to Europe and the Mediterranean for the Italian community, the international business communities in North America as well as the major communities in the Mediterranean region”.

The route’s inaugural flight departed O’Hare at 3 p.m. aboard an Airbus A330neo aircraft. CDA staff joined ITA Airways executives and Thomas Botzios, the Consul General of Italy in Chicago, for a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at Gate M29 in Terminal 5 to commemorate the departure.

“Chicago’s enduring status as a world-class destination is thanks, in large part, to our two airports and their connections to the world,” said Rich Gamble, Interim President and CEO, Choose Chicago. “We are thrilled to celebrate the launch of ITA Airways new direct service to Rome, and we look forward to welcoming more visitors from Italy and across Europe to explore everything that Chicago has to offer.”

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The route, which is ITA Airways’ seventh connection to North America, will operate six times per week, increasing to seven times per week in June.

The summer of 2024 will be the first time O’Hare has ever offered direct flights to three Italian cities, with American Airlines launching seasonal service to Venice in June and resuming its summer seasonal service to Rome. United Airlines also