ITA Airways. Photo: Markus Mainka / Shutterstock.com ITA Airways has become the first airline in Italy to introduce a Self-Supply fuel procurement model, giving the carrier direct control over how it purchases aviation fuel at its main hub at Rome Fiumicino Airport.
The move marks a major shift in the airline's fuel supply strategy, with ITA Airways taking on the role of a fuel trader rather than relying solely on traditional procurement methods. The company said the new approach will improve operational efficiency, increase flexibility, and help optimize fuel purchasing costs.
The model also positions ITA Airways uniquely within the Italian aviation sector after receiving the necessary recognition from Italian customs authorities, strengthening its relationships with fuel suppliers and enhancing its financial standing.
Rome Fiumicino Airport. Photo: Alexanderstock23 / Shutterstock.comAccording to the airline, the change comes at a time when fuel supplies are increasingly affected by global energy markets and geopolitical tensions. By managing its own fuel procurement, ITA Airways aims to improve supply security and maintain operational continuity even during periods of market volatility.
The airline will be able to buy, and potentially sell, jet fuel directly, including through industrial synergies being developed within the Lufthansa Group, of which ITA Airways is now a member.
"This innovation redefines our role within the aviation fuel value chain, providing us with greater control and enhancing our ability to create value in an environment characterized by increasing volatility in energy markets and geopolitical tensions affecting fuel availability and pricing," said ITA Airways CEO and General Manager Joerg Eberhart.
He described the initiative as a historic milestone for both the airline and the Italian aviation industry, adding that the launch represents the first step in a gradual transformation that will unfold in several phases.
Beyond commercial benefits, the new model also expands ITA Airways' responsibilities, requiring the airline to manage additional taxation and customs compliance obligations associated with fuel trading.
The Self-Supply model has initially been introduced at Rome Fiumicino Airport, Italy's largest aviation hub, and forms part of ITA Airways' broader strategy to strengthen its competitiveness, support innovation, and reinforce its position among Europe's leading airlines.