Airlines Air Italy launches long-haul flights to Miami and New York
Air Italy has commenced its North-American operations. After launching a route to New York JFK, the carrier has now started to serve Miami as well.
The first Air Italy non-stop service to Miami was inaugurated with IG903 departing Milan-Malpensa at 1.00pm. A ceremony was held at Malpensa Airport to celebrate the first flight on the route. The 254 passengers on board experienced a water cannon from the airport fire brigade in order to farewell the aircraft.
During the ceremony, Air Italy´s Chief Operating Officer, Neil Mills, said: “With the opening of this service to Miami, Air Italy is proud to inaugurate its second North American service. This is an important time for Air Italy and our mission is to deliver an excellent and memorable passenger experience on board all of our flights.”
A week before, Air Italy had started daily flights from Milan to New York JFK. Both North American routes are being operated with former Qatar Airways Airbus A330-200 aircraft, which can accommodate 254 passengers in a two-class configuration. 18 business and 236 economy seats are available.
The opening of both routes marks an important milestone for Air Italy, who announced a new business plan last year. The plan contains the conglomeration of Italian airline Meridiana under the Air Italy brand, as well as the acquisition of new mid-haul and long-haul aircraft to boost its destinations portfolio. A new livery was presented as well.
According to Miles, the load factor of Air Italy´s North American flights is good: “We have already sold 50% of the Summer 2018 season capacity based on 120,000 seats and we plan to end the month of June – out first month of North American operations – with a load factor of more than 80%. It is even more impressive that more than 50% of customers choose Air Italy to fly from the United States via Milan, to Rome, Naples and Palermo.”
Air Italy furthermore plans to commence long-haul operations from Milan and Bangkok. Flights will start on September 9, 2018. The route will be operated on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Air Italy is an Italian based airline, headquartered in Olbia. Airline Qatar Airways holds a stake in the carrier and helps Air Italy with the raising of funds. Air Italy´s fleet consists of two Airbus A330-200s, three Boeing 767-300s, one Boeing 737-700 and seven Boeing 737-800s. Recently, the carrier has taken delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX 8.
Source © airitaly.com