(AGENPARL) – Wed 10 December 2025 ITA Airways adopts next-generation Iris technology on its flights
Award-winning Iris datalink service is paving the way to trajectory-based operations, which can cut
emissions and enhance efficiency for European airlines
ROME., Ita., Dec. 10, 2025 – Viasat Inc., a global leader in satellite communications, today announced that ITA
Airways, Italy’s reference carrier, is taking to the sky equipped with Iris technology.
The award-winning European Space Agency (ESA) Iris programme, within ESA Connectivity and Secure
Communications, is led by Viasat and takes advantage of next-generation satellite technologies to help modernize
Air Traffic Management (ATM).
The service is underpinned by Iris Service Provider and key project partner ESSP, who holds the EASA certification
for Iris services provision and has onboarded 19 leading Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) for the Precommercial Flights phase, a crucial validation period ahead of deployment. This phase will conclude by the end of
2025. Starting in 2026, the commercial phase will begin with the goal of onboarding 28 ‘Single Europan Sky (SES)
2+’ ANSPs by 2032, supporting operations of more than 1,100 Iris-capable aircraft flying in Europe.
The Iris programme puts the Single European Sky initiative, which aims to reform ATM in Europe, into action, with
ITA Airways one of several airlines leading the way. The Iris capability will initially be rolled out on four ITA Airways
Airbus A320neo aircraft.
Iris will enable ITA Airways to unlock increased operational efficiencies, achieving improvements in fuel burn and
reductions in emissions, as well as contributing to improved airspace modernization across Europe. This is critical
in the industry’s continued path towards net zero and 4D trajectory-based operations.
Offered as a fully developed and certified capability by Airbus on the A320 and A330 series aircraft, Iris enables
initial 4D trajectory-based operations to share trajectory and intent-based operational information. This enables
airlines to avoid holding patterns, calculate the shortest available routes, cruise at optimum altitudes, and benefit
from continuous climb and descent pathways. It also paves the way for multilink data link communications using
both VDL2 and Iris SATCOM methods, which is critical to modernizing ATM. Iris is powered by Viasat’s
SwiftBroadband-Safety (SB-S) connectivity platform.
ITA Airways will operate Iris enabled flights on routes from Milan and Rome to destinations across Europe.
Joerg Eberhart, CEO and General Manager of ITA Airways, said “The introduction of Iris technology on our
aircraft represents a significant step forward in enhancing operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.
“At ITA Airways, we are deeply committed to supporting the modernization of European airspace as part of the
roadmap toward the Single European Sky, and to playing an active role in the advancement of Air Traffic
Management. Through this partnership with Viasat, ESA, and ESSP, we will improve flight punctuality, optimize
fuel consumption, and further reduce emissions.
“This initiative perfectly complements our ongoing fleet renewal programme, which already comprises 69% of newgeneration aircraft — delivering greater value to our passengers and contributing to a more sustainable future for
air travel in Italy and across Europe.”
Joel Klooster, SVP, Flight Safety and Advanced Air Mobility at Viasat, said: “We’re thrilled to see Iris taking
to the skies on ITA Airways’ flights across Europe. ITA has been committed to the goals of the Single European
Skies initiative for a long time. It’s been fantastic to work so closely with them, as well as our partners ESA and
ESSP, to bring the benefits of Iris’ next-generation technology to more flights and passengers across Europe. We
look forward to seeing success with these flights: and to rolling out the programme across more routes and airlines
soon.”
Laurent Jaffart, Director of ESA’s Connectivity and Secure Communications, said: “With the addition of ITA
Airways to the Iris service, another milestone has been achieved in supporting the European Commission’s Single
European Sky vision for an efficient and environmentally friendly European airspace. The adoption of Iris is a key
space-based solution for European Air Traffic Management, which will – in turn – pave the way for global use. By
supporting Iris through an ESA public-private partnership, we are delighted to combine our expertise with those of
leading aviation actors across the continent and beyond it.”
Charlotte Neyret, CEO at ESSP, said: “We are thrilled that ITA Airways is now using the Iris Service, marking a
major step forward expanding operations across Europe. This is a strategic milestone that highlights the increasing
pace of adoption and the growing relevance of Iris in European aviation. Having an additional leading European
airline onboard strengthens the network, extends Iris usage across more airspace, and confirms the growing trust
in the service’s reliability and impact. It’s a win that reflects both progress and potential, opening new doors for
growth throughout the region.”
In recent years, the Iris programme has been developing globally. The Iris SATCOM Global Solution will focus on
the technologies and certification required to share the fuel, CO2, and congestion-saving benefits.
Iris is now ready to be assessed and expanded for use in other global regions such as Asia and the Americas. By
2028, Iris will be well placed to enable flight optimisation across the globe, making flights greener and more
efficient.
About ITA Airways
ITA Airways is the Italian reference carrier. The Company is 59% owned by the Ministry of Economy and Finance
and 41% by Deutsche Lufthansa AG. ITA Airways operates both passenger and cargo air transport services,
providing Italy with high-quality connectivity to international destinations, supporting tourism and foreign trade, as
well as domestic connectivity within the country, also leveraging integrated mobility.
Through strong digitization of processes to ensure the best possible experience and personalized services, ITA
Airways places customer service at the core of its strategy. This is combined with a commitment to sustainability,
which encompasses environmental aspects (such as a young, technologically advanced fleet to reduce
environmental impact), social aspects (a strong focus on its employees and the communities in which it operates),
and governance aspects (integrating sustainability into internal strategies and processes).
For press information:
Pietro Caldaroni, Chief Communication Officer
About Viasat
Viasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected.
With offices in 24 countries around the world, our mission shapes how consumers, businesses, governments and
militaries around the world communicate and connect. Viasat is developing the ultimate global communications
network to power high-quality, reliable, secure, affordable, fast connections to positively impact people’s lives
anywhere they are—on the ground, in the air or at sea, while building a sustainable future in space. In May 2023,
Viasat completed its acquisition of Inmarsat, combining the teams, technologies and resources of the two
companies to create a new global communications partner. Learn more at http://www.viasat.com, the Viasat News