The world has welcomed a “new” airline as Italy’s Meridiana transformed into Air Italy, with the new name and livery unveiled this week.
Italy’s second largest carrier is seizing on the opportunity to expand as its larger competitor Alitalia goes through insolvency proceedings.
It follows Sardinia-based Meridiana’s 2011 acquisition of smaller, northern Italian carrier Air Italy back in 2011.
It is supported by Qatar Airways which acquired 49% of the airline last year, with the majority share held by Italy-based Alisarda and AQA Holdings.
In Milan for the big reveal: Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Mr. Akbar Al Baker; Mr. Marco Rigotti, Chairman of Alisarda and AQA Holding; Mr. Sultan Allana of Alisarda and AKFED and Mr. Francesco Violante, Chairman of Meridiana.
In Milan for the big reveal, Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker promised the new offering would be a “sustainable airline alternative” for the people of Italy and travellers to the 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,” he said.
The rebrand marks the beginning of an ambitious growth plan, with Air Italy targeting 10 million passengers by 2022.
To this end, the airline plans to double its fleet to 50 by 2022. The fleet expansion will begin with 20 new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft with the airline also eyeing Airbus A330-200s and Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners.
The larger fleet will help bolster its short-haul network, with new services between Milan and Rome, Naples, Palermo, Catania and Lamezia Terme kicking off from May.
Milan Malpensa Airport
Air Italy will also expand its international network with the launch of its first US service with daily flights from Milan to New York and four times weekly flights from Milan to Miami from June.
From September, it will also introduce four weekly flights from Milan to Bangkok. Another three new long-haul routes are expected to be announced by the end of the year.
Air Italy will also add its first long-haul flights from Rome in 2019.
READ: Flights continue as Alitalia files for administration
READ: New plan to rescue and reinvent Alitalia
