Airlines Italian Meridiana announces new long-haul flights
Italian carrier Meridiana has announced a major fleet renewal and new non-stop flights from Milan Malpensa to New York JFK and Miami.
Italy’s Meridiana will introduce two new aircraft types in its fleet in 2018. In April 2018, the carrier plans to receive the first Boeing 737MAX 8, making it the first Italian airline to operate this aircraft. The airline has ordered a total number of 20 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. Additionally, Meridiana will receive two former Qatar Airways Airbus A330-200 in June 2018. Gulf carrier Qatar Airways has bought 49% of AQA Holding, the new shareholder of Meridiana. The new Airbus aircraft will have a Business class with 24 full-flat seats and WiFi.
Meridiana confirmed plans to open a hub at Milan Malpensa airport. The carrier will connect Milan with 17 destinations of which 7 routes will be new routes for the carrier. Starting in June 2018 New York (JFK) and Miami will be connected with Milan, respectively connected on a daily basis and four times a week.
The new announcement is part of a major expansion plan developed by Qatar Airways. After the insolvency of Alitalia, Meridiana will expand its operations in Milan Malpensa and offer several new domestic connection flights. The carrier will connect the largest international airport in the Milan area with Rome, Naples, Palermo, Catania and Lamezia Terme. More details about the revised strategy and the planned fleet renewal will be released in January 2018, when the new business plan will be presented.
Currently, Meridiana operates a fleet of one Boeing 737-700, seven Boeing 737-800, one Boeing 767-200ER and three Boeing 767-300ER.