Vueling, Ryanair, easyJet square up and all surround Alitalia in Rome: the gladiators are back!

Rome Fiumicino, the larger of the two airports serving the Italian capital, is emerging as a key battleground for European LCCs, in addition to being the last stronghold of struggling Alitalia. Ryanair and Vueling will increase their competition in the Italian domestic market, while easyJet and Vueling will encounter each other more in international markets from Rome. All three will pose a growing threat to Alitalia.

On 24-Jan-2014, easyJet announced the launch of five further international routes from Fiumicino this summer, after launching routes to Prague and Nantes in Dec-2013. Its expansion plans will see its capacity in Rome Fiumicino grow by one third in 2014. This follows the establishment at Fiumicino of a Ryanair base in late 2013 and expansion plans announced by Vueling at the airport.

Is there room for all the LCCs? - Norwegian Air Shuttle, Monarch, Wizz Air, Pegasus, NIKI and Germanwings are also present at Fiumicino. Will Alitalia be able to withstand the ever growing competitive pressure? Recalling Roman gladiatorial combat of ancient times, this could be a fight to the death.