ITA Airways could operate CityAirbus NextGen in Italy under UAM pact

Airbus and ITA Airways are to explore the potential for urban air mobility (UAM) services in Italy, which could eventually see the flag carrier operating the CityAirbus NextGen electric aircraft, which is currently in development. Covered by a memorandum of understanding, the agreement – its first such pact with an airline – will see the partners “explore the creation of tailored UAM services, by identifying strategic use cases for emission-free mobility solutions”, says Airbus. In addition, new local partners could be brought into the project, to allow the “safe and sustainable launch of operations with the CityAirbus NextGen” vehicle. The parties will also work on pilot use cases to boost public acceptance of UAM operations “by demonstrating the added value that it can bring to communities”. ITA Airways, which began operating in 2021 as a successor to bankrupt Alitalia, has previously signed a broad aircraft order agreement with Airbus to modernise its fleet.<br/>