Tag Archives: Rome

Alitalia threatens to shift its Rome Fiumicino hub elsewhere

Alitalia (3rd) (Rome) is upset about the airport’s continued focus of attracting low-cost operators at its Rome Fiumicino (FCO) hub and the current neglect for the infrastructure. The flag carrier is now threatening to move its hub elsewhere. The airline issued this statement about the current situation at FCO:

The damage to Alitalia by the consequences of the fire which broke out on May 7 at Fiumicino Airport amounted to 80 million Euros to date.

The recent reopening of Terminal 3 has marked the end of the emergency phase but not the end of many problems and limitations that continue have heavy effects on airport operations. Alitalia will calculate the total amount of damages only when the airport will operate at pre-fire standards.

Alitalia is the only airline to have its hub in Fiumicino. About 50% of the total number of flights in Fiumicino are Alitalia. Alitalia is by far the airline most affected from the consequences of the fire.

“We had a difficult period due to an event that affected us deeply. – declared Silvano Cassano, Chief Executive Officer of Alitalia -. In this period we have given up any controversy and we focused entirely on the service to customers, to reduce the inconvenience.”

Alitalia has completed an initial balance of the damages for the cancellation of thousands of flights and for a multitude of operational problems that have highlighted the fragility of the airport infrastructure as a whole. Alitalia will seek compensation for the damage it sustained, which so far totals 80 million euro.

“Our relaunch plan is complex, and in one of the most competitive sectors in Italy and in the world – continues Cassano – Fiumicino Airport in its current state is not an appropriate infrastructure to serve as the hub of an airline with our ambitions“.

“The problems of Fiumicino come from years and years of inadequate investment and planning and are now structural, we hope there will be less attention to finance and more attention to the market and to passengers needs”.

“If Fiumicino will continue to focus on low cost carriers and mediocre services, Alitalia will be forced to shift its growth elsewhere”.

Top Copyright Photo: Marco Finelli/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-243 ER EI-DBL (msn 32781) arrives at the FCO hub wears special “Franciacorta” markings as a salute to Alitalia’s Expo 2015 partner.

Alitalia aircraft slide show:

Thai is dropping Los Angeles and Rome

Thai Airways International (Bangkok) is ending two long-haul routes per Airline Route. The flag carrier will drop the Bangkok (BKK) – Seoul (ICN) – Los Angeles route on October 25. The route is currently operated four days a week with Boeing 777-300 ERs. This means Thai will no longer serve the United States.

Thai is also ending the Bangkok – Rome (FCO) route on the same day.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-3AL HS-TKP (msn 41525) approaches the runway at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Thai aircraft slide show:

EasyJet to expand at Milan Malpensa, Naples and Venice and reduce operations at Rome Fiumicino

EasyJet (easyJet.com) (London-Luton) today announced a strengthening of its Italian strategy through expanding its bases in Italy at Milan Malpensa and Naples and the opening of a new base in Venice from April‎ 2016. The airline plans to support this expansion by redeploying aircraft and crew from Rome Fiumicino.

EasyJet CEO Carolyn McCall‎ outlined the airline’s plans:

“Italy is a key strategic country for easyJet and our plans for 2016 announced today will expand our presence at Milan, Naples and Venice, where there are more opportunities for long term sustainable and profitable growth, while ensuring we continue to connect Rome Fiumicino with Europe in a way that best reflects passenger demand.

“Milan, Naples and Venice are all centres of important Italian economic regions. Each has high levels of passenger demand from leisure as well as business passengers and all have demand for flights both into and out of Italy.

“Our expansion in these three airports will bring thousands of direct and indirect jobs in each region and will ensure easyJet remains the largest airline at each airport giving all three cities the best network connecting them with the rest of Europe.

“At a time when there are significant profitable growth opportunities for easyJet across Europe we are continuing to make a very significant investment in Italy. easyJet has grown steadily in Italy in recent years in terms of investment and jobs and will base 29 aircraft in the country next year, employing over 1000 pilots, cabin crew and other staff and supporting thousands more direct and indirect jobs.”

Barcelona

EasyJet also announced that it is to open a new base in Barcelona from February 2016, basing three Airbus aircraft there. Barcelona has always been a key network point for easyJet and the base opening consolidates easyJet’s strong position at Barcelona carrying almost three million passengers a year to and from 14 airports across Europe.

With aircraft based at the airport business travellers will be able to benefit from earlier departures as well as an increased number of flights on existing routes connecting to primary airports in Europe such as London, Paris, Geneva and Milan.

Venice

EasyJet will open a base at Venice Marco Polo Airport starting from April 2016. With four Airbus aircraft based at the airport, easyJet will increase its contribution to the local economy by providing 150 local jobs for pilots and cabin crew.

Venice has for some time been a key network point for EasyJet, having operated flights into and out of the city since 1998. The airline has increased the number of passengers carried by an average rate of 15% per year over the last five years. easyJet currently flies to Venice from 15 primary airports across Europe – such as London Gatwick, Amsterdam and Paris Charles de Gaulle – and is the largest airline at Marco Polo Airport.

As well as being a world famous tourist destination the region is Italy’s third largest economy and 28% of easyJet’s 1.6 million passengers on flights to and from Venice are travelling on business. This will be further enhanced when aircraft are based at the airport as business travellers will be able to benefit from early morning departures.

Milan Malpensa

Milan Malpensa is already easyJet’s second largest base with 18 aircraft and will receive three more from April 2016, providing over 100 new jobs for pilots and cabin crew. This will strengthen EasyJet’s existing status as the largest airline at Milan Malpensa and gives the airline a strong strategic position serving Italy’s richest metropolitan area of some 9 million people with one of the country’s highest GDP.

Naples

EasyJet opened its new base in Naples in 2014 and is now firmly established as the largest airline at the airport. Naples is southern Italy’s largest city and the third largest in the country.

EasyJet already bases three aircraft in Naples and will base one more plane there from April 2016 providing 35 more jobs for pilots and cabin crew. Naples is a top European destination both for tourism – the city being listed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO – and for business with a wide network of more than 260,000 companies and 2.6 million business travellers flying from Naples every year.

Rome Fiumicino

The Rome Fiumicino base is delivering lower returns than EasyJet’s other bases and the new services and routes which will be operated as a result of this redeployment will better match easyJet’s customers’ needs and deliver higher returns for the airline.‎

The worsening performance of the Rome Fiumicino base has been driven by high airport passenger charges, which have more than doubled since 2012, and will be burdened by further above inflation increases in the coming years. In addition, Rome Fiumicino airport provides a poor passenger experience which has led to low levels of punctuality and customer satisfaction which the recent capacity increases have exacerbated.

As a result of the redeployment EasyJet will cease basing crew and aircraft at Rome Fiumicino from April 2016. There will be no job losses as a result of this decision as easyJet will be offering Rome Fiumicino based crew a transfer to our other Italian bases. The airline will offer individual relocation plans and support for all employees. easyJet hopes that as many of its crew as possible take up this offer.

EasyJet remains committed to connecting Italy with the rest of Europe and will continue to fly around 2 million passengers to and from Rome Fiumicino next year out of its bases across its network. This decision does not reflect in any way on easyJet’s Rome Fiumicino based people or the commitment and effort they have made to deliver a friendly customer experience and high operational standards.

Copyright Photo: Keith Burton/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A319-111 G-EZDJ (msn 3544) painted in the new 2015 livery arrives at Southend near London.

EasyJet (UK) aircraft slide show:

Alitalia to open a new nonstop route from Rome to Mexico City

Alitalia (3rd) (Rome) is planning to launch a new route from Rome (Fiumicino) to Mexico City.

The company issued this statement:

The Italy-Mexico Business Council was held in Milan at the Institute for International Policy Studies. Presided by Mexico’s President Enrique Peña Nieto and the Italian Council President Matteo Renzi, Alitalia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Mexican Government aimed at opening a new direct flight from Rome to Mexico City. The agreement signed outlines the contributions and commitment of the parties aimed toward increasing tourism and economic growth for both countries.

The opening of this new route is made possible by the investment plan that Alitalia implemented which includes a renewal of the long-haul fleet.

The second new Airbus A330 for long-haul flights is now in service, complete with the new livery, redesigned interior and upgraded meal service in business class, as well as WiFi connectivity in all class cabins. The first newly styled and liveried A330 was unveiled on June 4. The addition of these two aircraft has increased the long haul fleet to 24, inclusive of 14 Airbus A330s and 10 Boeing 777s. The business plan forecasts an additional five new planes for long haul routes by 2018.

With the Mexico City agreement, Alitalia reconfirms its commitment to the development of the intercontinental network. Since the beginning of the year the company has already launched four new intercontinental flights to Seoul (from Rome), Shanghai (from Milan) and Abu Dhabi (from Milan Malpensa and Venice, added to the route from Rome). Flights between Rome and Beijing will begin in Fall 2015.

Alitalia aircraft slide show:

Videos: Alitalia.

Air Horizont now plans to launch scheduled passenger flights on July 2

Air Horizont (Zaragoza) is a new airline in Spain. The new carrier is planning to now launch scheduled passengers flights to Rome starting on July 2 (delayed from May 14) pending the acquisition of its AOC according to Preferente.com. The airline is also planning to fly to Alicante, Seville and Munich from Zaragoza.

The company was founded by pilots Manuel Sahli and Juan Luis Díez.

Copyright Photo: Rainer Bexten/AirlinersGallery.com. The first aircraft, the pictured Boeing 737-436 9H-ZAZ (msn 25349), arrives in Berlin (Schoenefeld).

Alitalia moves all check-in operations to Terminal 1 at Rome Fiumicino due to the Terminal 3 fire

Alitalia (3rd) (Rome) has issued this statement about airport operations at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport (FCO). Terminal 3 of Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino was struck by a fire which upset airport operations. Here is the statement:

Due to the fact that Terminal 3 has been condemned for airport operations, Alitalia informs that the check-in operations for all domestic, international and intercontinental flights of the Company will be carried out at Terminal 1.

Alitalia has also set up two task forces, composed of about 100 people from operating and commercial areas, including managers, in order to simplify service and to give information to passengers departing or transiting at Rome Fiumicino airport.

Previously Alitalia restarted operations at yesterday at 2 pm (1400).

Today the airport issued this statement:

FIUMICINO TERMINAL 3 REOPENED

After yesterday’s fire, the Terminal is gradually being reopened by Aeroporti di Roma teams, each staffed with 300 technicians, cleaning and maintenance personnel who worked all through the night to restore operations at the Terminal 3 from early this morning.

All this has been possible because the event affected only the commercial area, beyond security check counters.

Videos: The terminal fire at FCO:

Terminal Map at FCO:

Delta announces its additional seasonal service to Amsterdam and Italy

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) will add summer seasonal to Amsterdam from Salt Lake City International Airport. The nonstop daily flight to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport launches on May 2, 2015.

According to the airline, this summer Delta has increased its network out of Schiphol, adding extra services to New York-JFK, Detroit and Minneapolis/St Paul in March, with an additional frequency to Seattle/Tacoma starting on May 4. The airline will operate up to 19 peak-day nonstop flights, responding to increased demand for service between the U.S. and the Netherlands during the peak summer travel period.

Delta is also increasing travel options for customers flying between Italy and the United States this summer. The U.S. airline will be restarting numerous seasonal services throughout May and June 2015. Flights will operate from four Italian cities – Rome, Milan, Pisa and Venice – to Delta’s hubs in New York-JFK, Atlanta and Detroit.

Expanded service at Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport, Rome

In addition to restarting its seasonal service to Detroit Metropolitan-Wayne County Airport on May 2, 2015, Delta will launch a second frequency to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, effective May 23. The extra services complement Delta’s existing daily flights to Atlanta and New York-JFK, and take the total number of weekly seats on offer between Rome and the U.S. to over 14,000.

The seasonal flight from Rome to Detroit will operate daily using a Boeing 767-400 and the second Atlanta flight will operate up to six times weekly using a Boeing 767-300 aircraft.

Seasonal flights return to Venice and Pisa

Delta will restart a daily nonstop flight between Venice Marco Polo Airport and its Atlanta hub, effective June 2 using a Boeing 767-300 aircraft. The flight complements the existing daily New York-JFK service that was restarted at the end of March, meaning that Delta will operate two daily flights to the U.S. from Venice during the summer.

From Pisa, Delta will operate nonstop service to New York-JFK six times weekly using a Boeing 757-200 aircraft, effective June 16.

Extra service added at Milan Malpensa

Customers flying from Milan Malpensa Airport will benefit from a daily flight to Atlanta, effective June 17, complementing Delta’s existing daily service to New York-JFK. Operated using a Boeing 767-300 aircraft, the flight will add a further 3,150 weekly seats between Milan and the U.S..

Copyright Photo: Paul Bannwarth/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 767-332 ER N176DZ (msn 29697) approaches the runway at Zurich.

Delta Air Lines aircraft slide show (current livery only):

Hainan Airlines starts Chongqing – Rome flights

Hainan Airlines (Haikou and Beijing) initiated nonstop flight service between Chongqing and Rome on April 27, 2015. Flight HU 7991, the inaugural flight took off from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport at 1:30 am on April 27 Beijing Time and landed at Rome’s Fiumicino-Leonardo da Vinci International Airport at 7:50 am local time. Rome has been added to the roster of Hainan Airlines’ destinations in Europe following Paris, Brussels, Berlin, Moscow and Saint Petersburg. As one of the gateway cities to western China, Chongqing now has its first direct flight to Western Europe.

On the afternoon of April 26, Hainan Airlines held a brief inaugural ceremony in Chongqing. When flight HU 7991 landed in Rome, airport staff greeted the passengers arriving from China with the traditional water cannon salute.

Photo Above: Hainan Airlines.

Following the opening of the Chongqing-Rome route, Hainan Airlines plans to shortly open several more international routes, including Beijing-San Jose, Shanghai-Boston and Shanghai-Seattle/Tacoma.

Hainan Airlines’ Chongqing-Rome route is serviced by the twin-aisle Airbus A330-200 capable of transporting 260 passengers.

Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-243 B-6089 (msn 919) arrives at the Beijing hub.

Hainan Airlines aircraft slide show:

Ethiopian will now route its North American flights through Dublin

Ethiopian Airlines (Addis Ababa) will now route its daily Washington Dulles-bound flight and its three times weekly-Toronto Pearson-bound flight from Rome (Fiumicino) to Dublin effective May 10 according to Irish Travel News. Previously the airline announced it was routing its Addis Ababa-Los Angeles Boeing 787 flight through Dublin as a transit stop. The airline will not gain any traffic rights from Dublin.

In other news, TAP Portugal and Ethiopian Airlines, both Members of Star Alliance, have signed a code-share agreement and will be soon introducing code-share services between Portugal and Ethiopia.

Copyright Photo: Michael Kelly/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner ET-ASG (msn 36111) approaches the runway at Dublin.

Ethiopian Airlines aircraft slide show:

Alitalia is impacted today by an air traffic controllers strike in Italy

Alitalia (3rd) (Rome) today (March 20) is dealing with a strike by the Air Traffic Control Agency (ENAV) in Italy. The strike is being implemented by the air traffic controllers union between 10.00 to 18.00 local time in Rome. Alitalia, like other carriers, implemented a reduction in flights in order to limit the inconvenience to its customers.

According to the carrier, the strike is not impacting Alitalia’s intercontinental flights from Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa (above).

According to the airline, “Alitalia is contacting passengers involved in the rescheduling and cancellation of flights affected by the strike in order to provide alternative travel solutions and instructions for the refund of unused tickets.”

Copyright Photo: Jacques Guillem Collection/AirlinersGallery.com. The former Air One Airbus A330-302 EI-DIR (msn 272), now in the SkyTeam motif, taxies to the gate at the Milan (Malpensa) hub.

Alitalia aircraft slide show: