Al-Baker: Air Italy set to achieve global scale in fleet, network

Meridiana, Italy’s long established privately owned airline, hasannounced an exciting new phase of growth and development with its newidentity as Air Italy. Qatar Airways previously strengthened its commitment to Italy in 2017with the acquisition of 49% of AQA Holding, the new parent company ofAir Italy, while the previous sole shareholder Alisarda kept 51%.During a recent media event in Milan, Qatar Airways Group ChiefExecutive Akbar al-Baker; Marco Rigotti, chairman, Alisarda and AQAHolding; Sultan Allana (Alisarda and AKFED) and Francesco Violante,chairman, Meridiana, unveiled Air Italy’s fresh and modern brandidentity and presented the new airline business plan, focusing onexcellent 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 alreadycommitted to receiving 20 of the brand new Boeing 737-Max aircraft typefrom April 2018, over the next three years. Air Italy will also receive five Airbus A330-200 aircraft this year fromthe Qatar Airways’ fleet, prior to these being further replaced byBoeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, commencing May 2019.Network destinations will also enjoy continued expansion, with newlong-range routes from Milan to New York and Miami already announcedrecently, that will soon be followed by new short-haul routes connectingMilan and the airline’s long range destinations to Rome, Naples,Palermo, Catania and Lamezia Terme.Further plans also include strengthening the short-range network toimprove connectivity and launching the first long-range destination fromRome 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 bestairline in the world, as voted for in Skytrax 2017. It is with thisambition and dedication to the passenger experience that we will worktogether to build a sustainable airline alternative for the people ofItaly and global travellers to and from this beautiful country.”“With high quality and an affordable schedule of services in thedomestic, regional and intercontinental segments, Air Italy will achieveglobal scale in both fleet and network expansion, offering high-qualitypremium class products across all flights on a modern fleet.”On the new airline identity and developments, Rigotti, said, “Ourambition is strong now as it has been throughout our history, startingwith the aim of assisting in the development of tourism in CostaSmeralda and, later, to develop the leisure and charter Italianmarketplace.“Over the last 10 years Meridiana has witnessed the radicaltransformation of the European aviation industry, characterised by afierce competition. Air Italy aims to be a leader in the globalindustry, thanks to the airline’s hub in Milan Malpensa, and thereinforced base of Rome Fiumicino, alongside the seasonal network fromOlbia’s Costa Smeralda heritage base which is also the headquarters ofthe airline.”Violante said, “Air Italy has an ambition to reach a goal oftransporting 10mn passengers a year by 2022 travelling to, from and viaItaly. 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 skillsand competences amongst our people and for all to embrace change as afantastic opportunity. I wholeheartedly support this new effort.”Meridiana has carried more than 100mn passengers to date as full-servicecarrier, operating both short-haul and long-haul flights. The Companyhas more than 1,400 dedicated employees, maintains codesharepartnerships with other major airlines, and is a full member of IATA andthe largest airline at Olbia Costa Smeralda airport.