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Air Italy (2018–2020)

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Guaenz31 (talk | contribs) at 00:25, 14 August 2018 (The merge discusion has already been declared ealry in the year to keep the old Air Italy and the new Air Italy pages separate. Thank You.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

This article is about the current company. For the company before the 2018 reorganization, see Air Italy (2005–2018).
Air Italy
IATA ICAO Call sign
IG ISS AIR ITALY
FoundedFebruary 19, 2018 (2018-02-19)
Commenced operationsMarch 1, 2018 (2018-03-01)
AOC #EY0F937F[1]
HubsMilan–Malpensa Airport
Focus citiesOlbia Costa Smeralda Airport
Frequent-flyer programMeridiana Club
(Part of Avios Loyalty program)
Subsidiaries
  • Air Italy Fleet Management
  • Meridiana Maintenance
  • Wokita
Fleet size15
Destinations34
Parent companyAQA Holding S.p.A
HeadquartersOlbia, Sassari, Italy
Key people
  • Francesco Violante (Chairman)
  • Marco Rigotti (Deputy Chairman)
  • Neil Mills (COO)
  • Rossen Dimitrov (CCEO)
Websitewww.airitaly.com

AIR ITALY S.p.A., operating as Air Italy is a privately owned Italian airline, headquartered in Olbia. The company is the second largest airline in Italy, following Alitalia (Italy's flag carrier) and the 38th largest airline in Europe. The airline is a subsidiary of AQA Holding, owned by Alisarda (51%) and Qatar Airways (49%). Air Italys is currently the youngest airline to be formed in Italy with zero incidents of fatal accident or a hull loss.

The airline operates an all Boeing fleet of Boeing 737 Next Generation, Boeing 737 MAX 8, Boeing 767, and Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft to over 34 destinations from scheduled flights to domestic European and intercontinental destinations. The airlines operates with its main hub at Milan–Malpensa Airport and operates a focus city at Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport.

Air Italy is not not a member of any of the three major airline alliances. However, it has codeshare agreements with 08 airlines, 4 including member airlines of oneworld alliance. Air Italy frequent-flyer program, Meridiana Club, is part of Avios loyalty program.

History

The company was established on 19 February 2018, during a press conference in Milan, Italy announcing the future of Meridiana by merging the airline and its subsidiary, the original Air Italy (which was part of Meridiana Brand since 2013, but commenced operation in 2005) to create the new Air Italy.[2] The focus of the company was to introduce a new Italian airline which would be stable to be the future flagship carrier of Italy, as Air Italys competitor Alitalia (Italy's current flag carrier) filed for Administration since 2 May 2017. The plan also introduce a new brand image, new cabin experience, new airport lounge, new destinations, also new opportunity for the customers and the people of Italy can enjoy. During the press conference the airline have experienced some interest on joining Oneworld.[3] Also announcing that Qatar Airways will have a Codeshare agreement with the airline.[4]

All official branding and business of the new Air Italy took effect on March 1, 2018. Meridiana IATA, ICAO, and AOC code merged into the new Air Italy. Meridiana website relaunched to airitaly.com as of the rebranding. The aircraft transferred from Meridiana still used the Meridiana livery (with some repainted with the new hybrid livery) but the new aircraft the airline has purchased will use the new Air Italy livery & new cabin experience.[5] Meridiana codeshare agreements and slots were transfers under the new Air Italy brand.

Qatar Airways (Air Italys majority shareholder operated under AQA Holdings) successfully launched their planned codeshare from selected flights from both short & long haul flights.[6][7] As Air Italy's operations grew the airline apointed 2 new members to Air Italys chief leaders, welcoming Neil Mills as Chief Operating Officer (COO) after working with the recently bankrupt airline Air Berlin on 18 April 2018 [8][9] and introduced Rossen Dimitrov as Chief Customer Experience Officer (CCEO) on 22 April 2018. [10][11]

Air Italy became the official Italian launch customer of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 with the first aircraft was fully painted and introduced to the public on Air Italys social media pages on 22 April 2018.[12] The airline first Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft (Register as: EI-GFY) was delivered at a handover ceremony at Boeing's Everett Delivery Centre in Seattle with Boeing executives on 11 May 2018. [13] The airline celebrate the delivery of the first Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft on 14 May 2018 after the aircraft was handed over to Air Italy in Seattle (just 3 days ago), The airline holded an special press conference in a hanger at its Milan–Malpensa hub (also introducing the airline first official uniforms for the Cabin Crew Members). [14]

On 1 June 2018, Air Italy successfully begin the launch of its new Milan–Malpensa Airport to John F. Kennedy International Airport flight with the airlines first Airbus A330-200, along with the new international long-haul flight the flight also marked the launch of its new seatback entertainment platform, onboard amenities and meals services.[15] Air Italy continued expand operations successfully launching more routes and services.

In July 2018, Air Italy attended the Farnborough Airshow showcasing its 2nd 737 MAX 8, making it the first time Air Italy attended the airshow.[16]

Corporate affairs

Head Offices

Air Italy's head offices are located at Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport in Olbia, Italy, formerly owned by Meridiana.

AQA Holding

Main article: AQA Holding S.p.A

AQA Holding is the parent company of Air Italy, which was founded on 2 September 2017 after Qatar Airways purchased a 49% stake in Meridiana, with Alisarda keeping the 51% stake that it previously owned, which subsequently created the new holding company. Previously, AQA Holdings owned the Italian Airline Meridiana and all of its assets including the previous Air Italy (2005–2018). These owned assets were merged to form the brand new Air Italy.[17]

Subsidiaries

Air Italy currently maintain 3 subsidiaries, inherited from Meridiana after the merge with the old Air Italy to form the new airline.[18]

  • Meridiana Maintenance S.p.A (operated as Meridiana Maintenance). The airline maintenance company was founded after Meridiana merged with eurofly (another Italian airline). Their hanger is located at Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport in Olbia, Italy next to the Air Italy Head Offices.
  • Wokita S.i.r (operated as Wokita) is another subsidiary Air Italy owns. Wokita is a tour operator that offers a wide and extensive range of tourism products such as package tours, flights, hotels and resorts in seaside areas, yachting and activity holidays since 2006.[19]
  • Air Italy Fleet Management company is another subsidiary, temporarily created company (formerly the original Air Italy) will only be in service until all the original Meridiana fleet (Boeing B737-700, B737-800, B767-300ER) aircraft lease is expired.[20]

Corporate identity

Air Italy A330-200 Tail Design

The airlines livery is a modern white fuselage with the airline logo across the fuselage in a billboard style livery. It also includes a collage of the maroon and mint green letter Y taken from the logo, on the vertical fin. The letter Y is also present on the aircraft engines.[21] The Air Italy logo is designed with maroon and mint green colors. The colours are loosely based on the maroon from the Qatar Airways logo. The airline has a specialty design Y looking somewhat similar to a bird.[22]

Sponsorships

Air Italy sponsors one professional sports team:, the Italian basketball team Dinamo Sassari.[23][24]

Destinations

Main article: Air Italy destinations

Air Italy operates to 31 destinations in Europe, Africa and North America. Air Italy aims to fly more than 50 year-round routes by 2022 stated in the airlines 5-year plan. The airline operates most of its flights out their main hub at Milan–Malpensa Airport and a second operation network out of their focus city at Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport.

Codeshare agreements

Air Italy has codeshare agreements with the following airlines:

Fleet

Air Italy Airbus A330-200
Air Italy Boeing 737 MAX 8

As of May 2018, the Air Italy fleet consists of the following aircraft:[26]

Air Italy Fleet
Aircraft In Service Orders Passengers Notes
C Y Total
Airbus A330-200 2 3 24 236 260 To be replaced by Boeing 787-8 by 2019.
Boeing 737-700 1 — — 149 149 To be replaced by Boeing 737 MAX 8.
Boeing 737-800 7 — — 189 189
Boeing 737 MAX 8 2 18 12 174 186 Italian launch customer.[27]
Boeing 767-300ER 2 — 12 276 288 To be phased-out by 2019.[28]
— 304 304
Boeing 787-8 — 30 TBA EIS in May 2019.[29] Replacing Airbus A330-200 starting in 2019[30]
Total 15 51

Services

Short Haul

File:Air Italy Boeing 737 Max 8 Cabin.jpg
Air Italy Boeing 737 Cabin

Short and medium haul aircraft features Business class, in a 3-3 layout with the middle seat blocked and Economy class in the same layout.[31] Short haul aircraft are not equipped with In-flight entertainment, although Passengers can use In flight WiFi for free to stream movies etc on their own personal devices.

Long Haul

Business class on long-haul aircraft are fitted with flat bed seats in a 2-2-2 layout, each seat is fitted with In-flight entertainment operated through Personal on-demand entertainment systems. Passengers can explore a wide variety of Movies and TV Shows, available in both Italian and English. Older aircraft do not offer any seat back entertainment but instead offer overhead entertainment, although passengers in business class receive iPads with entertainment installed to the tablet.[32][15][33] On International flights a new Amenity Kit (furnished by Italian brands Fedon and Acca Kappa) and designer pajamas and slippers are given to business class passengers.[15] The Economy cabin is fitted with slimline seats in a 2-4-2 layout, each seat is fitted with In-flight entertainment operated through Personal on-demand seat-back entertainment systems.[33]

Inflight Magazine

Air Italy's in flight magazine is named Atmosphere inherited from its predecessor. The magazine available for all passengers on any Air Italy flight.

Frequent-flyer program

Air Italy's frequent-flyer program is named Meridiana Club inherited from its precedecessor. Customers can use Meridiana Club points on partner airlines British Airways and Iberia, points can also be used on partner car rental and partner hotels. Meridiana Club also works with Avios points.[34]

References

  1. ^ "Federal Aviation Administration - Airline Certificate Information - Detail View". Federal Aviation Administration.
  2. ^ "19/02/2018 - Press conference_Milan, February 19th 2018" (PDF). Meridiana. February 18, 2018.
  3. ^ "Will Air Italy Join Oneworld? - One Mile at a Time". One Mile at a Time. 2018-02-24. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  4. ^ "Air Italy expands as UAE-backed Alitalia goes bankrupt". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2018-02-19.
  5. ^ "Ciao Meridiana, welcome AIR ITALY" (PDF). Air Italy. 1 March 2018.
  6. ^ "Air Italy inks codeshare with Qatar Airways; eyes India". ch-aviation. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  7. ^ "Air Italy signs codeshare agreements with Qatar Airways" (PDF). airitaly.com. 17 April 2018. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  8. ^ DAVIES, PHIL (19 April 2018). "Former Air Berlin chief named as new COO of Air Italy". Travel Weekly. Retrieved 2018-04-26. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  9. ^ "Neil Mills appointed Air Italy's Chief Operating Officer" (PDF). airitaly.com. 18 April 2018. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  10. ^ "Rossen Dimitrov entra in Air Italy". Teleborsa. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
  11. ^ "Rossen Dimitrov Joining Air Italy as Chief Customer Experience Officer" (PDF). airitaly.com. 20 April 2018. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  12. ^ "Air Italy reveals first 737 MAX 8 in new livery | CAPA". centreforaviation.com. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  13. ^ "Air Italy unveils Boeing 737 Max in 'striking' new livery". Retrieved 2018-05-12.
  14. ^ "Air Italy's First Boeing 737 MAX 8 Arrives In Italy (+Photos) - Airways Magazine". Airways Magazine. 2018-05-14. Retrieved 2018-06-28.
  15. ^ a b c "Exclusive: Flying Air Italy's New York Inaugural in Business Class (+Photos) - Airways Magazine". Airways Magazine. 2018-06-02. Retrieved 2018-06-03.
  16. ^ "AIR ITALY TO EXHIBIT ITS SECOND B737 MAX AIRCRAFT AT THE FARNBOROUGH INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW 2018" (PDF). Airitaly.com. 10 July 2018. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  17. ^ "Meridiana to become Air Italy, new 'flag carrier of Italy': Qatar Airways CEO | CAPA". centreforaviation.com. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
  18. ^ "Alisarda Group". www.airitaly.com. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  19. ^ "Wokita.com - Sardina More than a holiday". www.wokita.com. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  20. ^ "Meridiana's Air Italy production carrier ceases flight ops". ch-aviation. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  21. ^ "PICTURES: 'Qatar maroon' features in Air Italy livery". Flightglobal.com. 2018-02-19. Retrieved 2018-03-16.
  22. ^ UnderConsideration. "Fly Y". www.underconsideration.com. Retrieved 2018-05-13.
  23. ^ "Gold Sponsor". Dinamo Sassari (in Italian). 2016-01-03. Retrieved 2018-06-21.
  24. ^ "Air Italy - trova i servizi Parking collegati". www.airitaly.com (in Italian). Retrieved 2018-06-21.
  25. ^ "Qatar Airways set to codeshare with Air Italy on Asia, Africa and Far East routes: Al-Baker". Gulf Times. 2018-02-21. Retrieved 2018-03-03.
  26. ^ Fleet on airitaly.com
  27. ^ "Qatar Airways closes in on Meridiana deal, to own minority stake in Indian airline - Gulf Business". Gulf Business. 2017-04-24. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  28. ^ "Italy's Meridiana to conclude B767 ops by early 2019". ch-aviation. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  29. ^ "Air Italy: Qatar's plan to destroy Alitalia". liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com. 2018-02-21. Retrieved 2018-03-03.
  30. ^ "PICTURES: 'Qatar maroon' features in Air Italy livery". Flightglobal.com. 2018-02-19. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
  31. ^ "Inside Air Italy's First 737 MAX, With Qatar Airways Boss Al Baker Looking On". thepointsguy.com. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  32. ^ "Customer Care during Air Italy Flights and try our new Air Italy Business Class". www.airitaly.com. Retrieved 2018-06-03.
  33. ^ a b "AIRITALY, spina nel fianco di Alitalia" [AIRITALY: a thorn in the side for Alitalia]. www.teleborsa.it (in Italian). Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  34. ^ "Meridiana Club - Partners". www.airitaly.com. Retrieved 2018-04-05.

Media related to Air Italy at Wikimedia Commons

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