Meridiana, Italy’s long established privately owned airline, has
announced an exciting new phase of growth and development with its new
identity as Air Italy.
Qatar Airways previously strengthened its commitment to Italy in 2017
with the acquisition of 49% of AQA Holding, the new parent company of
Air Italy, while the previous sole
shareholder Alisarda kept 51%.
During a recent media event in Milan, Qatar Airways Group Chief
Executive Akbar al-Baker; Marco Rigotti, chairman, Alisarda and AQA
Holding; Sultan Allana (Alisarda and AKFED) and Francesco Violante,
chairman, Meridiana, unveiled Air Italy’s fresh and modern brand
identity and presented the new airline business plan, focusing on
excellent passenger experience and the next generation of traveller,
aimed at positioning itself as Italy’s leading airline.
Air Italy aims to have approximately 50 aircraft by 2022 and is already
committed to receiving 20 of the brand new Boeing 737-Max aircraft type
from April 2018, over the next three years.
Air Italy will also receive five Airbus A330-200 aircraft this year from
the Qatar Airways’ fleet, prior to these being further replaced by
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, commencing May 2019.
Network destinations will also enjoy continued expansion, with new
long-range routes from Milan to New York and Miami already announced
recently, that will soon be followed by new short-haul routes connecting
Milan and the airline’s long range destinations to Rome, Naples,
Palermo, Catania and Lamezia Terme.
Further plans also include strengthening the short-range network to
improve connectivity and launching the first long-range destination from
Rome Fiumicino in 2019.
Air Italy aims to fly more than 50 year-round routes by 2022.
Al-Baker said, “Qatar Airways is known the world over as the best
airline in the world, as voted for in Skytrax 2017. It is with this
ambition and dedication to the passenger experience that we will work
together to build a sustainable airline alternative for the people of
Italy and global travellers to and from this beautiful country.”
“With high quality and an affordable schedule of services in the
domestic, regional and intercontinental segments, Air Italy will achieve
global scale in both fleet and network expansion, offering high-quality
premium class products across all flights on a modern fleet.”
On the new airline identity and developments, Rigotti, said, “Our
ambition is strong now as it has been throughout our history, starting
with the aim of assisting in the development of tourism in Costa
Smeralda and, later, to develop the leisure and charter Italian
marketplace.
“Over the last 10 years Meridiana has witnessed the radical
transformation of the European aviation industry, characterised by a
fierce competition. Air Italy aims to be a leader in the global
industry, thanks to the airline’s hub in Milan Malpensa, and the
reinforced base of Rome Fiumicino, alongside the seasonal network from
Olbia’s Costa Smeralda heritage base which is also the headquarters of
the airline.”
Violante said, “Air Italy has an ambition to reach a goal of
transporting 10mn passengers a year by 2022 travelling to, from and via
Italy. We expect more than 8mn of these to use Milan Malpensa airport.
In support of this ambition, there is a great need to develop new skills
and competences amongst our people and for all to embrace change as a
fantastic opportunity. I wholeheartedly support this new effort.”
Meridiana has carried more than 100mn passengers to date as full-service
carrier, operating both short-haul and long-haul flights. The Company
has more than 1,400 dedicated employees, maintains codeshare
partnerships with other major airlines, and is a full member of IATA and
the largest airline at Olbia Costa Smeralda airport.
Al-Baker with other dignitaries during Meridiana’s relaunch as Air Italy in Milan on Monday.