Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport is set to welcome a new airline this summer as Italy’s national carrier, ITA Airways, launches its first-ever route to the Costa Blanca with direct flights to Rome.
The airline, which is part of the Lufthansa Group, will begin operating the seasonal service between Alicante and Rome-Fiumicino on 18 July, further expanding the German aviation group’s growing presence at Alicante-Elche Airport. The new connection will run until 30 September with two flights per week, operating on Saturdays and Sundays.
The move marks ITA Airways’ debut at Alicante airport and forms part of a wider summer expansion across Spain and southern Europe, with additional new services planned to Málaga, Valencia and Marseille.
The Alicante-Rome route will provide passengers with direct access to ITA Airways’ main hub at Rome-Fiumicino, offering onward connections to a wide range of international destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas. The airline hopes the new service will appeal not only to holidaymakers travelling between Spain and Italy, but also to passengers seeking long-haul connections through Rome.
Competition on the route is expected to be strong, with Ryanair, Vueling and Wizz Air already operating regular services between Alicante and the Italian capital. However, ITA Airways is positioning itself as a premium alternative with expanded international connectivity through the Lufthansa Group network.
According to the published schedule, flights will depart Alicante at 1:50pm, arriving in Rome at 3:50pm. Return services will leave Rome-Fiumicino at 10:40am and land on the Costa Blanca at 12:50pm.
The Lufthansa Group has been steadily increasing operations at Alicante-Elche Airport in recent months through its various airlines, including new connections to Vienna with Austrian Airlines, Geneva with Swiss and Hanover with Eurowings.
ITA Airways said the new summer routes are designed to meet growing seasonal demand while strengthening the company’s presence in key Mediterranean destinations during the busy holiday period.
