Italian Airways is born: here's why 2021 is the year of Italian airlines
From 2016 to the present, there has been much talk about Italian Airways. A project that finally seems ready to take off [...]
From 2016 to the present, there has been much talk of Italian Airways. A project that seems finally ready to take off and linked to a big name. It is the "commander" Joseph Gentile, referred to years ago as the Marchionne of the skies. Out of the chaos of 2020 a new homegrown carrier could emerge, ready to take advantage of the economic crisis triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Gentile entrusted his thoughts on the company's future to Forbes. It will be a hybrid enterprise: low cost and legacy.
Where Italian Airways will fly
Failure is forbidden, especially in the current global context. That is why every single move will be carefully studied: "We will go to serve destinations where we have a great chance of success right away." All this will be enabled by analysis based on the study of databases and, at the same time, the application of very state-of-the-art mathematical models of the aviation industry.
Moves that under no circumstances will bring Italian Airways into confrontation with the current low-cost airlines. It would, in fact, be an impossible battle to win at this stage. Everything seems ready for the big launch, with Gentile reportedly planning to hire some of Air Italy's staff, according to his statements dating back to last summer.
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A detailed route plan is awaited. When the project was announced, the idea was to focus on the long haul from Bergamo. Considering how Ryanair almost has control, so to speak, of Orio al Serio airport, Gentile seemed intent on trying his hand at connections with United States, South America e China from the same track. However, a full five years have passed since 2016, and much may have changed, even taking into account the current crisis.
What's new in the Italian industry
As far-fetched as it may seem, the deep crisis in the aviation sector offers tasty opportunities. This is evidenced by the fact that there is some excitement in Italy. On March 28, the official go-ahead will be given for the first flights of the Ego Airways. In early January it was announced that related tickets had already gone on sale.
The connection plan involves the airports of Forli, Florence, Parma, Bari, Catania and Lamezia Terme. A program set to expand from June 4, 2021, with Cagliari, Bergamo and Rome completing the launch plan.
In the initial phase, the fleet will consist of only two Embraer 190 aircraft. The goal is not to fly routes not flown by other carriers, or at least not only that. Room also for some healthy competition. Just think of Bergamo-Rome, a route that will be operational from next June 4. In addition, the possibility of seasonal routes, turning our eyes to Mykonos and Ibiza, cannot be ruled out.
Another project was also recently presented. It is about Kairos Air, which will be based in the city of Ancona. The initial fleet consists of two aircraft. These are Atr 72-600s with a total of 72 seats. The flights to be operated will be on domestic and trans-Adriatic routes. Initially, the routes will connect Ancona with Rome and Milan, with multi-day frequency.
