2nd 60+ Tourism Forum: Interview with Murilo Cassino, Commercial Manager Ita Airways Brazil

With four years since its founding, and two years of operations in Brazil, Italy's newest national airline is redefining the standards of excellence in aviation. With 2 daily flights from São Paulo to Rome and 1 daily flight from Rio de Janeiro, the company demonstrates a commitment to global connectivity and invests in Asia. The airline is owned by the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Since its first flight, Milan Linate - Bari, on October 15, 2021, the company has stood out as a symbol of sophistication and quality. Furthermore, as a member of the global Sky Team Alliance and IATA, it is firmly integrated into the international airline community.

With a fleet of 88 aircraft, including 22 wide bodies and 66 narrow bodies, the company offers a variety of options to meet the needs of its passengers. From the Airbus A321 neo to the Airbus A350-900, each aircraft is equipped with cabin interiors designed by designer Walter de Silva, incorporating Italian style and elegance in every detail.

Looking ahead, the company continues to expand its destination network, offering a total of 57 destinations for summer 2024, including 15 intercontinental, 26 international and 16 domestic. This expansion includes new seasonal routes, such as the direct flight between Rome and Accra, operated from June with three weekly frequencies.

Check out the interview below:

Travel2Latam: With just 4 years since its founding, Ita Airways has already conquered many international routes, was this already in the plans?

Murilo Cassino: The idea of ​​growing internationally and even to other continents is part of the company's destination distribution strategy. Why? You imagine that Europe suffers in itself, with airlines offering very low fares for short journeys. And how do you manage to feed your domestic segments without directly conflicting with this competition? You bring international destinations, that is, an example of Brazil. People leave São Paulo, go to Venice, for example, via Rome, but they buy the entire route, so we sell the entire package and end up filling the Rome-Venice flight with these international passengers. So, the company, which is always looking for opportunities and destinations that are economically strong, that have a business relationship with Italy, we always look like that, and that's why Asia is also a big focus now, not just Asia, but Brazil itself is growing in terms of routes; We also increased flights to Argentina and also increased flights to the United States, so it is a generalized strategy.

Travel2Latam: What will be the launches for 2024 for North America?

Murilo Cassino: So, our growth target for this year includes the launch of the flight to Montreal. We started operating five times a week and also started operations to Boston and San Francisco, that is, in the United States, which today offer six daily flights to Italy, to Rome, and from Rome connecting with the rest of the world.

Travel2Latam: In Brazil there are three flights a week, what is the operation like in other South American countries?

Murilo Cassino: In South America, we also had an increase in our operations to Argentina. We have been flying to Rome since June 2023 and this year we increased it with four more frequencies. 
We currently have eleven weekly flights from Buenos Aires to Rome and from there connecting to the rest of the world.

Travel2Latam: ITA Airways is an Italian company, you are a reference in designers in the world. What is the in-house designer of Ita Airways aircraft like?

Murilo Cassino: When we think about design, we will have equipment with Italian design. In fact, there is a wonderful detail on the seats, which are from the Frau armchair, the same as the Ferrari. And they come with a little Italian flag. Therefore, both the menu and the design and uniform of the attendants were created by major Italian brands. When you get on our planes, you begin to experience a little of the great Italian brands.

Travel2Latam: What are the technological options of the Ita Airways fleet?

Murilo Cassino: Well, we can't talk about a young company without linking this to the issue of technology. ITA chose to operate with the Airbus fleet. Today we are even receiving a series of equipment to continue the company's growth. Just like most transatlantic destinations, they operate with 330s and Airbus 350s. These are the two cutting-edge aircraft. So today, a passenger who travels with ITA can be sure that he will be operating with the most modern technology equipment offered by Airbus.

Report and photo: Mary de Aquino.