ACG Delivers First Airbus A220-300 to ITA Airways: Fleet Modernization
Aviation Capital Group Delivers First A220-300 to ITA Airways, Supporting European Fleet Modernization
US-based aircraft lessor Aviation Capital Group (ACG) has delivered its first Airbus A220-300 to new customer ITA Airways, marking a pivotal moment for both the lessor and the Italian carrier’s fleet transformation strategy. The delivery represents the first of five A220-300s that ACG will provide to ITA Airways over the coming months, underscoring strong demand for Airbus’s fuel-efficient, next-generation narrowbody aircraft among European carriers.
This delivery comes from ACG’s substantial order of 20 A220s placed with Airbus in February 2022 and fulfills the lessor’s commitment to support airlines transitioning to more sustainable aviation technologies. The aircraft was delivered from Airbus’s Mirabel, Quebec manufacturing facility, reinforcing North American production capacity for the increasingly popular platform.
ITA Airways, which commenced operations in 2021 as Italy’s national carrier successor, continues its aggressive fleet modernization agenda. The airline now operates an all-Airbus fleet featuring multiple platform variants, including the A350-900, A220-300, A320neo, A330-900neo, A220-100, and A321neo. This diversified fleet composition positions ITA Airways to optimize operations across multiple network segments, from short-haul European routes to longer intercontinental services.
Central to ITA Airways’ strategic vision is achieving one of Europe’s youngest aircraft fleets. The carrier targets approximately 90% new-generation aircraft composition by 2027—an ambitious timeline reflecting industry-wide pressure to reduce fuel consumption, emissions, and operating costs. The A220-300, with its advanced aerodynamics, modern avionics, and superior fuel efficiency compared to legacy narrowbodies, directly supports this objective.
“We are thrilled to welcome ITA Airways as a new customer to ACG and to support the airline’s continued transition to sustainable A220 technology for its short and medium haul network,” said Tom Baker, Chief Executive Officer and President of ACG. The comment highlights how aircraft leasing companies increasingly position sustainability credentials as competitive differentiators when securing new airline customers.
ACG operates as one of the aviation industry’s largest independent leasing platforms, serving major international carriers including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Air France, and Etihad Airways. According to KPMG’s Aviation Leaders Report 2025, ACG ranks as the 10th largest global lessor, managing more than 500 owned, managed, and committed aircraft across 85 carriers. This scale provides ACG with significant ordering power and financial flexibility to support strategic aircraft programs like the A220.
The A220 has emerged as a critical aircraft for European carriers seeking to replace aging Bombardier CRJ and Embraer regional jets while optimizing single-aisle economics. Its 130-160 seat configuration and extended range capabilities provide operational flexibility that benefits both network planning and seat-mile economics. For lessors like ACG, A220 portfolios diversify revenue streams beyond traditional A320 family aircraft, reducing concentration risk in their asset base.
This transaction reflects broader market dynamics in commercial aviation. Airlines increasingly depend on specialized lessors to manage capital deployment, while lessors benefit from direct customer relationships and multi-aircraft fleet deals. As sustainability regulations tighten across Europe and globally, next-generation aircraft like the A220 represent essential tools for carriers meeting environmental compliance while maintaining competitive positioning.
The ITA Airways delivery signals strong appetite among European carriers for sustainable, fuel-efficient narrowbody solutions and validates ACG’s strategic commitment to the A220 program.
Source ID: SRCE-2025-1764255646457-999