His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, hosts a press conference at the Boeing Everett Delivery Centre in Seattle to receive the aircraft
New fleet will provide travellers in Italy with an innovative, sophisticated and stylish carrier, offering an enhanced travel experience
Qatar Airways previously strengthened its commitment to Air Italy in 2017 with the acquisition of 49 per cent of AQA Holding, the new parent company of Air Italy
DOHA, Qatar – Air Italy today unveiled its long awaited first Boeing 737 Max in striking new livery at the Boeing Everett Delivery Centre in Seattle, in front of a crowd of VIP dignitaries and guests, including His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, alongside international media.
The aircraft, the first of approximately 50 new aircraft to be added to the Air Italy fleet by 2022, is the first of 20 brand new Boeing 737 Max aircraft that will join the airline over the next three years.
During a press conference held prior to the delivery ceremony, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Group Chief Executive of Qatar Airways; Mr. Marco Rigotti, Chairman of Alisarda and AQA Holding; Mr. Sultan Allana of Alisarda and AKFED; and Mr. Francesco Violante, Chairman of Air Italy, spoke of Air Italy’s future focus on the passenger experience as it strives to become Italy’s first carrier of choice.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, commented: “I am delighted to be at the Boeing Everett Delivery Centre today in Seattle to mark yet another landmark event, the delivery of Air Italy’s first new Boeing 737 Max aircraft in striking new livery, first presented in Milan in February this year. To see the aircraft here for the first time, it truly brings to life the next exciting chapter for Italy’s future carrier of choice, providing the people of Italy with the sophisticated travel experience that they deserve.”
Chairman of Alisarda, Mr. Marco Rigotti, said: “This first Boeing B737 Max will offer our customers a journey in true Italian style. While seated in this comfortable and stylish aircraft, flying from Milan onwards to our domestic network of popular destinations such as Taormina in Sicily, the Emerald Coast in Sardinia, Rome, Sorrento and Capri or the pristine landscape in Calabria, we want our passengers to sense the beauty of Italy and warm welcome they will receive upon landing.”
Chairman of Air Italy, Mr. Francesco Violante, commented: “I would like to extend my thanks to Boeing and all of those involved in this, the production of our very first Boeing 737 Max in the Air Italy livery. Since we first announced the striking new design at a press conference in Milan in February this year, there has been much anticipation for this moment. We look forward to taking to the skies and bringing this aircraft to Italy for the first time.”
Senior Vice President of Commercial Sales & Marketing for The Boeing Company, Mr. Ihssane Mounir, added: “It is an exciting time to fly with Air Italy as it brings new levels of innovation, performance and comfort to the Italian aviation market. We are honoured that Air Italy and Qatar Airways have placed their trust in Boeing and the 737 MAX to help them achieve their bold and visionary goals.”
The new Boeing 737 Max aircraft features modern and spacious cabins, superior operating economics and a greater fuel efficiency. The aircraft will also feature Business Class cabins and will replace Air Italy’s existing Boeing 737NGs.
Air Italy will also receive five Airbus A330-200 aircraft this year from the Qatar Airways’ fleet, prior to these being further replaced by Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft. Qatar Airways previously strengthened its commitment to Air Italy in 2017 with the acquisition of 49 per cent of AQA Holding, the new parent company of Air Italy, while the previous sole shareholder Alisarda kept 51 per cent.
Network destinations will also enjoy continued expansion, with new long-range routes from Milan to New York, Miami, Bangkok and Mumbai already announced. Air Italy this month also inaugurated short-haul routes connecting Milan to Rome, Naples, Palermo and Olbia. Additional routes from Milan to the Sicilian east coast city of Catania and Lamezia Terme in Calabria will commence on 1 July and 1 September respectively.
Further plans also include strengthening the short-range network to improve connectivity and launching the first long-range destination from Rome Fiumicino in 2019. Air Italy aims to fly more than 50 year-round routes by 2022.
About AIR ITALY
AIR ITALY is an Italian airline fully owned by AQA Holding (51% Alisarda and 49% Qatar Airways), with its headquarters in Olbia. The company was established with the name of Alisarda on 29 March 1963, with the aim of promoting tourism to Sardinia.
In 1991, the name was changed to Meridiana. Following a merger with charter carrier Eurofly and the acquisition of the charter company AIR ITALY the airline became the most important Italian player in international leisure flights.
In December 2017, growth towards new domestic, medium-haul and long-haul destinations from Milan Malpensa were announced; reflecting a major strategic shift for the company.
In February 2018, a new corporate identity was presented and the company was rebranded as AIR ITALY.
Beginning from May 2018, AIR ITALY will add new domestic routes from Milan to Rome, Naples, Palermo, Catania, Lamezia Terme scheduled for connection to its newest long-range destinations including New York, Miami and Bangkok and Mumbai.
The Company network also includes direct international flights from Milan Malpensa to Accra, Cairo, Dakar, Havana, Lagos, Mombasa, Moscow, Zanzibar and, from its Olbia Costa Smeralda hub, year-round scheduled services to Rome, Milan Linate and seasonal ones to a wide range of domestic and regional destinations.
AIR ITALY’s fleet, currently comprising eight Boeing 737 NG and three Boeing 767-300, will be progressively renewed with eight new aircraft, three brand new Boeing 737 MAX-8 and five Airbus A330-200 joining during 2018 and with the full retirement of the B767-300 by the end of 2018.
Notes to Editors:
About Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is celebrating more than 20 years of Going Places Together with travellers across its more than 150 business and leisure destinations. The world’s fastest-growing airline will add a number of exciting new destinations to its growing network in 2018, including Thessaloniki, Greece; Cardiff, UK and many more, flying passengers on board its modern fleet of more than 200 aircraft.
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘Airline of the Year’ by the 2017 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘World’s Best Business Class,’ ‘Best Airline in the Middle East,’ and ‘World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge.’
Qatar Airways is a member of the oneworld global alliance. The award-winning alliance was named the World’s Best Airline Alliance 2015 by Skytrax for the third year running. Qatar Airways was the first Gulf carrier to join global airline alliance, oneworld, enabling its passengers to benefit from more than 1,000 airports in more than 150 countries, with 14,250 daily departures.
Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system offers passengers up to 4,000 entertainment options from the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more. Passengers flying on Qatar Airways flights served by its B787, A350, A380, A319 and select A320 and A330 aircraft can also stay in touch with their friends and family around the world by using the award-winning airline’s on-board Wi-Fi and GSM service.
Qatar Airways proudly supports a range of exciting international and local initiatives dedicated to enriching the global community that it serves. Qatar Airways, the official FIFA partner, is the official sponsor of many top-level sporting events, including the FIFA 2018 and 2022 World Cups, reflecting the values of sports as a means of bringing people together, something at the core of the airline’s own brand message - Going Places Together.
Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s third largest international cargo carrier, serves more than 60 exclusive freighter destinations worldwide via its world-class Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations globally with more than 200 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet includes eight Airbus A330 freighters, 13 Boeing 777 freighters and two Boeing 747-8 freighters.
For further information, please contact:
Qatar Airways Group, Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +974 4022 2200