Airline News
Etihad unveils Alitalia plans
January 27th 2015
Etihad Airways-protégé Alitalia has unveiled plans to return the carrier to profitability by 2017 through an improved network and closer cooperation with its new 49% shareholder on global routes. Read More »
New connections from Rome to Beijing, Shanghai, Seoul, San Francisco, Mexico and Santiago, as well as flights from Milan to Tokyo and Shanghai will play a major role in reinvigorating the carrier, Alitalia chairman Luca di Montezemolo said last week in Rome, flanked by Etihad chief, James Hogan, and Alitalia chief, Silvano Cassano. The executives added that both Italian metropolises, together with Venice, Catania and Bologna, will have daily connectivity to Abu Dhabi. To support the new route network, Alitalia will upgrade its fleet within the next two years and as such will look at tapping into Etihad’s 200-plus-aircraft order book to source more long-haul jets, Cassano said. He added that Alitalia had sold 14 Airbus A320s to airberlin – one of seven carriers in addition to Alitalia that form the so-called ‘Etihad Equity Alliance’.
Speaking at the Rome conference, the three executives predicted an Alitalia profit of 100 million euros ($116 million) by 2017, if it succeeds with its ambitions to become a premium carrier with better catering and lounges. However, Hogan cautioned that the Italians must learn to stand on their own two feet eventually. ‘‘There are no free kicks,’’ he said. ‘‘We don’t have an endless reserve of cash. It’s very clear, we work alongside, provide support, but the direction of the company is in the hands of the Italian team.”
