AeroItalia has confirmed that it will open a new base at Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport in mid‑first quarter 2026, with operations scheduled to begin on February 2. The base will initially house two ATR 72‑600 aircraft, each with 68 seats, and will be staffed by around 20 crew members permanently based in Genoa. This move is designed to ensure service continuity and reliability, even if one aircraft is undergoing maintenance.
The first scheduled route from the new base will be daily flights between Genoa and Rome Fiumicino. The timetable includes morning and evening services on weekdays, a morning rotation on Saturdays, and an evening rotation on Sundays. This frequency is intended to provide consistent connectivity between Liguria and the Italian capital, complementing existing rail and road options.
AeroItalia’s leadership has emphasized that the Genoa base represents only the beginning of a broader expansion strategy. The company views Genoa as a promising market and intends to progressively add new destinations from the airport.
In other news, Aeroitalia has been ordered by an Italian court to change its name and branding by January 1, 2026. The ruling came after ITA Airways, which owns the historic Alitalia brand, argued that Aeroitalia’s name, logo, and tricolor design were too similar to Alitalia and could mislead consumers. The Rome appeals court sided with ITA in June 2025, overturning an earlier dismissal of the case. As part of the judgment, Aeroitalia must stop using its current identity across the European Union and disable its aeroitalia.com domain, with fines imposed for non‑compliance.
The airline has criticized the decision, claiming its branding reflects Italian heritage rather than imitation. Aeroitalia is considering appealing to Italy’s Supreme Court, though legal experts suggest the chances of success are slim. In the meantime, the carrier has hinted at rebranding opportunities, with “Italian Airways” already registered as a possible new name. However, analysts warn that this option could also face challenges due to its similarity to ITA Airways.
The name change poses significant financial and operational challenges for Aeroitalia. Repainting aircraft, updating signage, and revising marketing materials will cost millions, a heavy burden for a relatively small regional airline. Beyond the expense, the rebrand risks weakening Aeroitalia’s recognition in the Italian market, where it has emphasized patriotic branding and regional connectivity, particularly with flights to Sardinia and Sicily.
