Dubai - ITA Airways, the leading Italian airline, announces the new direct flight between Rome Fiumicino and Dubai, which will be operated daily starting from October 27. "The opening of this new Rome - Dubai flight represents another step forward in the growth process of our company," said Antonino Turicchi, president of ITA Airways. "In the first four months of 2024, we recorded very satisfactory results, even beyond expectations, with over 5 million passengers transported, improving by 29% compared to the previous year and generating revenues 38% higher than the same period in 2023 thanks to the performance of the intercontinental sector, which saw revenue growth of over 50% compared to the first four months of 2023. Moreover, our average load factor was 78%, 3.6 percentage points higher than last year, with peaks of 82% in the intercontinental sector, a result that more than compensated for a slight reduction in average prices. The data is also encouraging for the summer season, in which we expect to transport over 25% more passengers than last year. From January to April 2024, our operations also recorded 99.9% regularity and about 85% punctuality within 15 minutes. These results - added the president - allowed us to move forward and invest in the company's development towards two fundamental goals for us: to carve out a leading role in air transport and the national economic fabric and to provide the country with a carrier with solid prospects. With the connection between Rome and Dubai, we want to contribute to increasing tourist flows and commercial exchanges between Italy and the United Arab Emirates." The new Rome - Dubai connection represents an important product for the company, adding a strategic market to its network, not only for point-to-point traffic but also allowing its customers to reach other domestic, international, and intercontinental destinations from its hub in Rome Fiumicino, combining both tourism and business trips. The new flights will be operated with ITA Airways' flagship, the new Airbus A321neo, which boasts more than 20% lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions per seat. In the current summer season, ITA Airways operates 57 destinations, including 16 domestic, 26 international, and 15 intercontinental. The company recently inaugurated new direct flights from Rome Fiumicino to Chicago (April 2024) and Toronto (May 2024), and will introduce new flights from Rome Fiumicino to Riyadh on June 2, Accra on June 6, Dakar and Kuwait City in July, and Jeddah in August 2024. (9colonne)