Italy's ITA Airways to expand direct flights to India, Thailand amid Mideast war

Italian flagship airline ITA Airways said Tuesday it was increasing direct flights to India and Thailand this August, as the Iran war disrupts routes through the Middle East.

Chief Executive Joerg Eberhart cited the "geopolitical landscape" in the decision to increase Rome-Bangkok flights from three to five times a week in August.

The Rome-New Delhi route will also become daily that month, the company said in a statement. Currently those flights operate five or six times a week.

"In a phase where the geopolitical landscape makes the ability to reach Asia through direct and reliable connections even more valuable, the increase in frequencies to Delhi and Bangkok in August 2026 is a concrete sign of confidence in the market and in ITA Airways' ability to respond quickly to passenger demand, while ensuring continuity and quality of service," Eberhart said.

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German airline Lufthansa last year took a minority stake in state-owned ITA, formerly Alitalia.

The US-Israel war against Iran and its repercussions across the region have severely disrupted air traffic above the Gulf countries, which had carved out a niche as a stopover for long-haul flights between the United States, Europe, Asia and Oceania.