New Alitalia to continue positive development in 2010

Alitalia has celebrated its first anniversary since Compagnia Area Italiana (CAI) acquired and relaunched the airline. CAI is 75% owned by a group of Italian shareholders and 25% by Air France-KLM. The airline reported an operating profit of EUR15 million in 3Q2009 after heavy first half losses. While Alitalia is still in debt, it is expected to break even from Dec-2011. Last year, the airline added nine new A320s and opening its own terminal at Rome Fiumucino Airport. This year, it plans to expand its fleet with two long-haul A330s. Alitalia also plans to introduce services from Rome to Los Angeles, Vienna and Malaga, and from Milan Malpensa to Miami in 2011.