ADNKRONOS, 19th of February 2018
Italian Airline Meridiana reshapes and aims high, after confirming the change of the company name into Air Italy. Within 5 years, the carrier expects to transport 10 million passengers a year and have a fleet of 50 aircrafts. The main hub will be in Milan Malpensa whereas the central headquarter will remain in Olbia. “We want to become a national icon and be the symbol of Italy, we will show that we are the star” affirms Akbar al-Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways, the new stakeholder after the financial closing of September 2017.
Air Italy aims at creating more than 1.500 workplaces through next year’s development plans. “It is an ambitious plan, based on innovation, entirely conceived for customers’ comfort – continues Al Baker – we want to become a national icon and be a symbol of Italy, but we will not forget Olbia, which is the natural headquarter of Meridiana and one of the best airports in Europe”.
The challenge to Alitalia has begun. The aim is to become leaders in Italy with a brand new 50-aircraft fleet, new services and 10 million passengers within 5 years. The new fleet will start growing by the arrival of 20 new Boeing 737 Max within the first three years. In June two new destinations will be launched from Malpensa to New York and Miami. At a later time, as of September 2018, a new route will be created from Milan to Bangkok.
The Minister of Infrastructure and Transports, Hon. Graziano Delrio, expresses his “satisfaction for the new industrial plan about Meridiana, with the birth of Air Italy. It is an ambitious plan, which will strengthen our Country. We wish to thank all the management staff and the trade unions working for this new beginning, which I think will be absolutely successful”, stated in a note.