Pictures have emerged on social media of one of ITA Airways’ new aircraft sporting a livery featuring the Alitalia brand.
The images come barely a week after Lufthansa Group formalized its acquisition of a 41% stake in the Italian carrier on February 3, 2025.
The pictures, which appear to be taken inside a hangar, correspond to one of ITA Airways’ Airbus A350s (registration EI-IFA), with the words “Inspired by Alitalia” written on the side of the fuselage alongside the logo of the historical airline.
Although technically a different company, ITA Airways has always been regarded as the successor to Alitalia in the role of Italy’s flag carrier. When ITA Airways was created by the Italian government in 2021, it absorbed many of the assets and staff from bankrupted Alitalia. ITA Airways also bought the rights to the Alitalia brand and the alitalia.com domain for around €90 million, with the declared aim of preventing competitors from laying claim to the heritage.
Previously, in Q4 2024, and with negotiations with Lufthansa Group still ongoing, ITA Airways announced that it expected to bring back some elements of the Alitalia brand.
While often associated with financial mismanagement, the Alitalia brand is still reportedly widely cherished by the Italian public.
