Alitalia

Alitalia was founded in 1946 as Aerolinee Italiane Internazionali and merged with Linee Aeree Italiane in 1957. It became the airline of the Pope in 1964 and the first European airline to fly with a fleet of all jets in 1970. In 2008,a group of investors formed the Compagnia Aerea Italiana consortium to buy bankrupt Alitalia and merge it with another bankrupt Italian carrier. In 2009,Alitalia launched operations and entered administration in 2017. In 2021,Alitalia sold its entire operation to ITA Airways,a newly formed state-owned flag carrier.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2023
Publisher: Key Publishing Ltd

The story of Alitalia is a captivating tale of mergers and expansion in post-war Italy, culminating in a series of subsequent bankruptcies. Established in 1946 as Aerolinee Italiane Internazionali through an Anglo-Italian agreement with the Italian government (60 percent) and BEA (40 percent) as shareholders, Alitalia took to the skies on May 5, 1947, carrying its first 10,000 passengers in its inaugural year. For domestic flights, the airline relied on Fiat G-12 aircraft, while its international and intercontinental routes were serviced by Savoia-Marchetti SM.95 aircraft.

On October 31, 1957, Alitalia merged with Linee Aeree Italiane, with shares held by the Italian Ministry of the Treasury, Alitalia employees, and KLM. In 1950, the Douglas DC4 was introduced, marking a significant milestone for the airline. Starting in 1964, Alitalia became the preferred airline of the Pope whenever he traveled abroad. By 1970, Alitalia had achieved a remarkable feat by operating a fleet of all jets, including Boeings, Caravelles, and Douglas aircraft.

In 1981, Alitalia ventured into the domestic scene with Aermediterranea, succeeding defunct Itavia. Despite rapid expansion, Alitalia faced financial challenges, leading to the formation of the Compagnia Aerea Italiana (CAI) consortium in 2008 by a group of investors, including Silvio Berlusconi. The consortium aimed to acquire bankrupt Alitalia and merge it with another struggling Italian carrier, low-cost carrier Air One. On December 12, 2008, Alitalia's profitable assets were transferred to CAI, while the debts were left to the Italian tax payers.

On January 13, 2009, the new Alitalia emerged, ready to take off. However, the airline's journey was not without its ups and downs. It entered administration in 2017 after years of unprofitability. On August 24, 2021, Alitalia announced its decision to cease operations on October 15, 2021. This marked the end of an era for the iconic Italian airline.

In conclusion, the story of Alitalia is a testament to the complexities and challenges of the airline industry in post-war Italy. From its humble beginnings to its rise as a global player, Alitalia faced numerous mergers, expansions, and financial struggles. While it once held a prominent position in the aviation industry, its eventual downfall reflects the broader economic and political challenges faced by Italy in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Weight: 292g
Dimension: 170 x 242 x 9 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781802826760