To mark the occasion, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in the presence of Carla Catuogno, Head of Europe Sales Region ITA Airways, Ben Crowley, Head of Aviation - Airline Partnerships & Engagement Heathrow and Jonas Badde, First Secretary at the Embassy of Italy in London.
The connection to and from the British capital will be operated with two daily frequencies designed to offer passengers maximum flexibility and comfort when travelling, with the following schedule (in local times):
- Rome Fiumicino → London Heathrow: first flight departing at 07:50 and arriving at 09:40; second flight departing at 13:50 and arriving at 15:40.
- London Heathrow → Rome Fiumicino: first flight departing at 10:30 and arriving at 14:10; second flight departing at 16:30 and arriving at 20:10.
The resumption of flights from Europe’s busiest airport – the most connected airport in the world - was made possible thanks to the cooperation with Lufthansa, which made the necessary airport slots available to ITA Airways.
Connections between the British capital and Milan Linate will continue to operate via London City Airport.
With these services, travelling between Italy and London becomes even easier and more convenient—whether for business, leisure, or to enjoy everything the city has to offer.
“Today we celebrate a major milestone: our Company is back at Heathrow, the UK’s only hub airport and the most connected airport in the world. It is further proof of the importance of the synergies with the Lufthansa Group, which enabled us to secure the slots needed to operate”, said Joerg Eberhart, CEO and General Manager of ITA Airways. “Returning to Heathrow will bring many advantages: thanks to the characteristics of the airport, we will be able to operate flights with larger aircraft and greater capacity, increasing both passengers and revenues”.
Heathrow's Head of Aviation - Airline Partnerships & Engagement, Ben Crowley, said: “We are delighted to welcome ITA Airways back to Heathrow and to work alongside them in strengthening the UK’s links with Italy. This milestone reflects the spirit of collaboration that has helped Heathrow become the world’s most connected airport and supports us in continuing to expand our network. Our partnership with ITA Airways will offer passengers and businesses even more choice and convenience when travelling to Europe, and we look forward to building on this relationship in the months ahead."
Commenting on the event held today, the Italian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Inigo Lambertini, expressed his appreciation as follows: “I am pleased to see the strengthening of ITA Airways’ presence in the United Kingdom. The launch of the London Heathrow to Rome Fiumicino route responds to an increasing demand for travel between our countries and reinforces Italy’s position in a strategic market for business and tourism. It serves as an important driver for our solid economic and cultural ties, providing passengers with an authentic Italian flight experience”.
The return to Heathrow is one of the most important new features of Summer 2026, in which ITA Airways will operate a total of 72 destinations with 19 domestic, 36 international and 17 intercontinental routes, including 12 seasonal destinations (3 domestic and 9 international) to the Italian, Greek and Spanish islands.
The new intercontinental flight to Houston, United States, will also begin on May 1°, 2026. This is the first direct connection in history between Rome Fiumicino and the city in Texas, operated with three weekly flights, which will increase to five from June.
The summer news package also includes new direct flights from Rome Fiumicino to Malaga, Valencia, and Marseille, and an increase of seven flights per week from Rome Fiumicino to Tunis between June and September. For Summer 2026, seasonal connections will also include Olbia–Turin and Olbia–Genoa, operating in August, both with a weekly frequency on Saturdays.
