Alitalia replacement ITA plans 2021 start with 52 aircraft: reports

The new Italian airline being established to replace Alitalia has outlined plans to commence operations in April 2021 with an operation about half the size of its predecessor’s, according to media reports in Italy. Citing an 18 December press conference held by the new public company, which set out a five-year plan for the carrier, Corriere della Sera reports that Italia Trasporto Aereo (ITA) hopes to begin operations with 52 yet-to-be-determined aircraft, of which 43 would be for short- and medium-haul operations and the rest for long-haul routes. More than 60 destinations would be served from next year, covering domestic and international routes, according to the report. Alitalia had just over 100 aircraft going into the pandemic – a level the new business hopes to reach by 2025. Some 5,200-5,500 people would be employed by ITA, around half the 11,000 who worked at Alitalia, although the report notes much depends on negotiations with unions. Services would end from Milan Malpensa, with the city’s Linate airport preferred, the report suggests. The main hub would continue to be at Rome Fiumicino.<br/>