Lufthansa Italia
| File:Lufthansa Logo.svg | |||||||
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| Founded | 2008 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commenced operations | 2 February 2009 | ||||||
| Hubs | Malpensa Airport | ||||||
| Frequent-flyer program | Miles & More | ||||||
| Alliance | Star Alliance | ||||||
| Fleet size | 9 (+1) | ||||||
| Destinations | 14 in 8 countries | ||||||
| Parent company | Lufthansa | ||||||
| Key people | Heike Birlenbach (CEO)[1] | ||||||
| Website | fly-lufthansa-italia.com | ||||||
Lufthansa Italia S.p.A is a wholly owned subsidiary of German airline Deutsche Lufthansa based in Milan, Italy. The airline started operations on 2 February 2009 and now serves eight major European cities and three destinations within Italy with a fleet of eight Airbus A319 aircraft. [2]
History
On 28 April 2008 Lufthansa announced plans to station six Embraer 195 jets at Malpensa International Airport in order to start intra-European services from Milan, which at that time were to be operated by Lufthansa's other Italian subsidiary Air Dolomiti.[3] Lufthansa also signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding with Milan Airport operator SEA.
On 11 September 2008 Lufthansa unveiled the eight initial destinations to be served by Air Dolomiti.[4] At this time larger Airbus A319 aircraft were planned to be used. Lufthansa also announced it intended to create 150 new jobs in Milan.
On 14 October 2008 the new flights became bookable for the first time.[5]
On 26 November 2008 however Lufthansa announced the launch of Lufthansa Italia instead of the originally planned operations by Air Dolomiti.[6][7] Lufthansa maintained its request to partner with the bankrupt Alitalia.[8]
On 3 March 2009, 3 new domestic routes became bookable.[9]
On 17 June 2009, Heike Birlenbach announced that Lufthansa Italia had been registered at Milan's Chamber of Commerce as an Italian company.[10]
Destinations
Lufthansa Italia currently serves European routes, but they are also planning to add long haul routes to its current network with a formal announcement of destinations and aircraft expected later this year. It is however believed that they will use either Airbus A330 or A340 aircraft.
Fleet
Lufthansa Italia operates the following aircraft (at 15 January 2010):
| Aircraft | Total | Passengers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A319-100 | 7 | 132 | featuring Business and Economy Class |
| Airbus A320-200 | 2 | 146 (32/114) |
An additional aircraft (A319) wet-leased from BMI currently operates 3 of the 6 daily services between Milan and London.
External links
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References
- ^ http://www.boarding.no/art.asp?id=35229
- ^ Lufthansa press release: "Lufthansa launches new Lufthansa Italia brand"
- ^ Lufthansa press release: "Lufthansa boosts services from Milan"
- ^ Lufthansa press release: "Fly Lufthansa direct from Milan to major European cities"
- ^ Lufthansa press release: "Lufthansa connections from Milan now bookable"
- ^ Lufthansa press release: "Lufthansa launches new Lufthansa Italia brand"
- ^ Espinoza, Javier. "Lufthansa's Italian Adventure." Forbes. 26 November 2008.
- ^ "UPDATE 1-Lufthansa plans won't hurt Alitalia chance-CAI investor." Reuters. Thursday 27 November 2008.
- ^ "Home Page Italy." Lufthansa. Retrieved on 13 March 2009.
- ^ Lufthansa Italia S.p.A. established in Milan