21-Jan-2015 5:52 AM
Alitalia unveils new strategic plan, targets profitability by 2017
Alitalia unveiled (20-Jan-2015) its new strategic plan, with the carrier to introduce new routes, product and service standards, branding and a new cost management strategy as "foundations to build a premium global airline representing the best of Italy." The new strategy includes the following key elements:
Network
- A new three-hub strategy, with the increase of long-haul services from Milan Malpensa, with increased connectivity to partners' hubs from Milan Linate. Rome Fiumicino will expand long-haul operations and continue to expand short and medium haul operations to maintain relevance to the Italian market;
- Schedules across the network will be optimised to allow better connectivity, as well as increased codesharing with existing and new partners;
- New routes from Rome Fiumicino will include Berlin, Düsseldorf, San Francisco, Mexico City, Santiago, Beijing and Seoul, with increased frequencies to New York, Chicago, Rio de Janeiro and Abu Dhabi;
- 13 weekly frequencies will be added from Milan Malpensa, with daily services to Abu Dhabi, four flights a week to Shanghai, and additional flights to Tokyo;
- There will also be increased connectivity with Etihad Airways' hub in Abu Dhabi, with daily services from Venice, Milan, Bologna and Catania, as well as additional flights from Rome, all allowing onward connections to the Middle East, Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, China and Australia;
- Venice will be the only Italian airport, in addition to Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa, from which Alitalia will operate services to Abu Dhabi with long-haul aircraft.
Cooperation
- While exploring further opportunities to deepen the relationships with Skyteam members and in particular Air France-KLM and Delta Air Lines, there will be a major new partnership with airberlin and NIKI, as well as increased connectivity with Etihad Airways. There are also plans to work more deeply with Air Serbia and Etihad Regional.
Fleet
- Alitalia, Etihad Airways and their partners are exploring opportunities to improve fleet efficiency. For example, Alitalia is in the process of relocating 14 Airbus A320s to airberlin, and looking into options with Etihad Airways to acquire additional wide-body aircraft for Alitalia. Alitalia will also have opportunities to receive aircraft from Etihad Airways' existing order book.
Brand
- Alitalia will launch a new brand and visual identity, covering aircraft, uniforms and all other customer touch-points. While the name will remain unchanged, the new branding will seek to capture and embody the essence of Italy. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - Italian]