Industry Qatar Airways and Air Italy announce codeshare agreement

Starting April 24, 2018, Air Italy will add Qatar Airways´ code 'QR' on flights between Milan-Malpensa Airport and six domestic cities across Italy. The cities are Cataina, Rome, Olbia, Palermo, Calabria and Naples. A further codeshare flight is Air Italy´s domestic route between Rome and Olbia.

With the codeshare agreement, Qatar Airways passengers are able to connect seamlessly between the specific destinations.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are pleased to be announcing this codeshare with the newly-launched Air Italy. The new agreement will provide seamless connectivity for Qatar Airways passengers arriving at our Italian gateways, onto further domestic destinations, enabling them to explore this beautiful country [...] This codeshare between Qatar Airways and Air Italy demonstrates the strengthening ties between Italy and Qatar; two countries that share many economic affiliations.”

Qatar Airways operates scheduled flight services to Italy since 2002, when the airline commenced operations to Milan. In 2003, the Doha-based carrier added Rome to its Italian Portfolio. Pisa and Venice are two more destinations served by Qatar Airways.

Last year, Qatar Airways acquired 49% of Air Italy´s parent company AQA Holding.

Air Italy announced in February, that a new corporate identity will be implemented soon. The carrier was known under the name of Meridiana before the changes. A first Airbus A330-200 is currently being painted in the new colours. Moreover, Air Italy expects to take delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in the upcoming months. Altogether, Air Italy seeks to acquire 50 new aircraft by 2022.