Alitalia to Launch Abu Dhabi Flights

Alitalia will, subject to government approvals, launch direct Rome-Abu Dhabi flights on 1 December 2012.

Alitalia will operate the four weekly flights using an Airbus A330 aircraft in conjunction with codeshare partner Etihad Airways.

The flights, with seating capacity for 230 passengers, will operate on a split schedule.

Etihad Airways will place its ‘EY’ code on the new Rome (Fiumicino) flights, providing travellers with direct access to the Italian capital from Abu Dhabi, building on the daily service it already operates to the northern Italian city of Milan.

In addition, Etihad Airways will codeshare on Alitalia-operated flights beyond Rome to the cities of Venice and Zurich. The UAE flag carrier already codeshares on Alitalia-operated flights from Rome to Milan, Frankfurt, Munich, Geneva and Athens.

Alitalia will continue to place its ‘AZ’ code on Etihad Airways’ flights from Abu Dhabi to Bahrain, Muscat, Johannesburg, Bangkok, Melbourne and Sydney.

Andrea Ragnetti, CEO of Alitalia, said, “I am proud to announce this important new route that Alitalia will operate from 1 December. It's the next step in a successful collaboration which we started in 2009 with Etihad Airways ... The new Rome-Abu Dhabi route will allow both companies to offer their passengers a new direct service and, in particular for Alitalia passengers from Rome, it will open further the doors to exceptional business and tourist destinations around the world on Etihad Airways’ network.”

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