The first nonstop flight between Houston and Rome will launch next year.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire and ITA Airways CEO Jörg Eberhart announced the new service in a press conference on Tuesday. Flights will begin in May with three-times weekly service between Bush Intercontinental Airport and Rome’s Fiumicino Airport that will expand to five days a week in June, according to the Italy-based airline.
Eberhart said the airline will devote next generation aircraft to the new route and praised the team in Houston that helped make the company’s expansion to the market possible. He also cited the efforts of U.S. Ambassador to Italy and San Marino in helping make the new service a reality. Fertitta, the longtime Houston-based businessman whose Fertitta Entertainment has operations across the U.S., also joined the press conference via live feed from Rome.
The Big Picture: Houston represents ITA Airways ninth North American market. "With this new route, we consolidate our expansion in the U.S. market, our most important international market,” Eberhart said. “The extensive offer from Rome allows us to be the reference carrier from the U.S. to Italy and, via Rome, to Europe and the Mediterranean for the Italian community and other major communities in the region.”
Mayor Whitmire said the new flight is a reflection of the city’s prominence on the international stage. He added the ITA service will “strengthen our business, diplomatic and cultural ties with Italy” and “bring more visitors to experience Houston’s vibrant culture, world-class healthcare and diverse industries.”
The Numbers: Italy is currently the 13th largest origin market for international travelers to Houston. The country is the Houston region’s 14th largest trading partner with the value of goods and services moving between the two regions nearly doubling over the last decade to $9.6 billion in 2024. Twenty Houston area companies operate roughly 40 subsidiaries in Italy while 32 Italian firms have approximately 37 operations in Houston.
Houston Airports Director of Aviation Jim Szczesniak said the ITA flight “expands Houston’s presence in Europe and proves that disciplined, strategic growth at Houston Airports delivers measurable economic impact.”
Spotlight: The new service comes at a time when Houston is preparing to be in the global spotlight a a host city for the upcoming World Baseball Classic taking place this spring and the FIFA World Cup happening in the summer.
Written by A.J. Mistretta
