What does France mean to ITA Airways?
Pierfrancesco Carino - The French market is very strategic for ITA Airways. This is the the company's largest market in Europe. We have therefore come to share ITA Airways' strategy in France with a very comprehensive product departing from Paris and Nice on Rome and Milan. Via these two hubs, we offer connectivity to the whole of Italy, the Mediterranean, Europe and the Middle East. Americas.
Is there anything new in terms of the network?
Pierfrancesco Carino - We offer 64 destinations23 of which are in Italy, providing excellent coverage of the domestic market. The Mediterranean and Europe segment represents 34 destinations, plus seven intercontinental destinations. Above all, we want to consolidate the destinations we have launched, by adding frequencies. In France we are adding flights to Paris, in particular Paris CDG - Milan Linate with a third daily flight starting on 16 May. We already offer three flights a day on the CDG-Rome and Orly-Milan routes. In addition we're also boosting services between Nice and Rome from 1 June.with a second direct flight to Rome Fiumicino.
How would you sum up the young history of ITA Airways in France?
Pierfrancesco Carino - That's right: ITA Airways began operations on 15 October 2021and we have already transported nearly 250,000 French travellers. Business travellers love our point-to-point flights to Rome and Milan, as well as Italian, Mediterranean and intercontinental destinations.
How is the recovery in the ITA Airways business segment going?
Pierfrancesco Carino - Business customers are returning, especially SMESBut we are also increasingly working with large groups. We have corporate contracts with these companies to contribute to the upturn in business travel.
What's new in the ITA Airways fleet?
Pierfrancesco Carino - Yes, we have just received theAirbus A350 which focuses not only on the comfort of the passenger, but also on the sustainable. It's a really high-performance aircraft, with a 25% reduction in carbon emissions.
ITA Airways generates a lot of interest
So ITA Airways' projects are not frozen by the company's acquisition process?
Pierfrancesco Carino - No, that's not the case. We have a development plan and we remain consistent with that plan. We have strong values, which place the customer, sustainable development and digitalisation at the heart of our strategy.
How far have we got with this acquisition process?
Pierfrancesco Carino - There is a public tender process underway. The important thing is that ITA Airways is generating a lot of interest. As for the identity of the future investor, we don't yet know. The objective is to develop our strategy and to have synergies with a strategic partner.
