Qatar Airways announces new codeshare partnership with Air Italy
New codeshare will provide Qatar Airways passengers greater connectivity to domestic destinations across Italy
Award-winning airline acquired 49 per cent of AQA Holding in 2017, the parent company of Air Italy
DOHA, Qatar, 2018-Apr-19 — /Travel PR News/ — Qatar Airways is pleased to announce a new codeshare agreement with Air Italy, starting 24 April. The new agreement provides codeshares on Air Italy’s routes between Milan-Malpensa Airport and six domestic cities across Italy, including Catania (CTA), Rome (FCO), Naples (NAP), Olbia (OLB), Palermo (PMO) and Calabria (SUF). The agreement also consists of Air Italy’s route between Rome Fiumicino Airport and Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB).
Qatar Airways first began flying to Italy in 2002 with a service from Doha to Milan. A year later, the airline launched direct service to Rome. In 2011, the award-winning airline started operating to Venice, and in 2016, Qatar Airways further strengthened its commitment to the country with a daily service to Pisa.
Since adding its fourth Italian destination, Qatar Airways has been operating 42 weekly flights from its home and hub in Doha, Hamad International Airport, to Italy. From 24 April Air Italy will also offer codeshare flights on all of Qatar Airways’ Italy to Doha services along with two further routes on the Qatar Airways network to Singapore and Male.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are pleased to be announcing this codeshare with the newly-launched Air Italy. The new agreement will provide seamless connectivity for Qatar Airways passengers arriving at our Italian gateways, onto further domestic destinations, enabling them to explore this beautiful country.
“This codeshare between Qatar Airways and Air Italy demonstrates the strengthening ties between Italy and Qatar; two countries that share many economic affiliations.”
In 2017, Qatar Airways acquired 49 per cent of AQA Holding, the new parent company of Air Italy. Italy’s long established privately owned airline was previously known as Meridiana, however, in February this year, the airline announced a new phase of growth and development, starting with its brand new identity and livery as Air Italy. The new airline aims to acquire 50 aircraft by 2022, and has already committed to receiving 20 brand new Boeing 737-Max aircraft type, starting this month.
Named 2017 Airline of the Year by Skytrax, the national carrier of the State of Qatar is one of the fastest-growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. In 2018/2019, Qatar Airways will be adding many more exciting destinations to its network, including London Gatwick and Cardiff, United Kingdom; Tallinn, Estonia; Valletta, Malta; Cebu and Davao, Philippines; Langkawi, Malaysia; Da Nang, Vietnam; Bodrum and Antalya, Turkey; Mykonos, Greece and Málaga, Spain.
Qatar Airways Cargo currently offers global customers belly-hold cargo capacity to and from the Italian cities of Milan, Rome, Venice and Pisa. The cargo carrier also operates five Boeing 777 freighters and two Airbus A330 freighters each week to the fashion capital, Milan, taking its combined cargo capacity to Italy to more than 1,100 tonnes each week.
Additionally, the twice weekly Boeing 777 freighter service on the Milan-Chicago-Milan route affirms Qatar’s rising position in the USA and Europe, providing high quality and reliable airfreight service between two key trading partners with 200 tonnes of weekly cargo capacity each way.
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Notes to Editors:
About Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is celebrating more than 20 years of Going Places Together with travellers across its more than 150 business and leisure destinations. The world’s fastest-growing airline will add a number of exciting new destinations to its growing network in 2018, including Thessaloniki, Greece; Cardiff, UK and many more, flying passengers on board its modern fleet of more than 200 aircraft.
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘Airline of the Year’ by the 2017 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘World’s Best Business Class,’ ‘Best Airline in the Middle East,’ and ‘World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge.’
Qatar Airways is a member of the oneworld global alliance. The award-winning alliance was named the World’s Best Airline Alliance 2015 by Skytrax for the third year running. Qatar Airways was the first Gulf carrier to join global airline alliance, oneworld, enabling its passengers to benefit from more than 1,000 airports in more than 150 countries, with 14,250 daily departures.
Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system offers passengers up to 4,000 entertainment options from the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more. Passengers flying on Qatar Airways flights served by its B787, A350, A380, A319 and select A320 and A330 aircraft can also stay in touch with their friends and family around the world by using the award-winning airline’s on-board Wi-Fi and GSM service.
Qatar Airways proudly supports a range of exciting international and local initiatives dedicated to enriching the global community that it serves. Qatar Airways, the official FIFA partner, is the official sponsor of many top-level sporting events, including the FIFA 2018 and 2022 World Cups, reflecting the values of sports as a means of bringing people together, something at the core of the airline’s own brand message – Going Places Together.
Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s third largest international cargo carrier, serves more than 60 exclusive freighter destinations worldwide via its world-class Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations globally with more than 200 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet includes eight Airbus A330 freighters, 13 Boeing 777 freighters and two Boeing 747-8 freighters.
For further information, please contact:
Qatar Airways Group, Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +974 4022 2200
+974 4022 5350
qrmedia@qatarairways.com.qa
SOURCE: Qatar Airways