LIPZ From Austria, joined Jun 2006, 1075 posts, RR: 0 Posted (2 years 7 months 1 week 22 hours ago) and read 3294 times:
According to an internal employee newsletter, Alitalia's CEO Rocco Sabelli confirmed today the resumption of service to Beijing after a 10-years hiatus in S11, a year earlier than previously forecasted in the long-term growth plan.
AZ will commence FCO-PEK in June, initially 5 times per week with new A-332. More details to come!
In the meantime new FCO-GIG too will be starting on June 4, route that was announced just a few weeks ago.
Rumors and speculations also abound regarding other potential new long-haul routes to follow in late 2011 or 2012 (among these Shanghai, Seoul, Ho Chi Minh).
LIPZ From Austria, joined Jun 2006, 1075 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (2 years 7 months 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 2331 times:
Quoting Talaier (Reply 1): I guess PVG is just a matter of time. As to Ho Chi Minh, really how much space is there for AZ given that AF is back on the route?
Yes, as things stand today, PVG is definitely the most concrete rumor as new long-haul destination to follow.
Just 3 days ago AZ's president (Mr Colaninno), speaking from Singapore, told that AZ is looking to start both PEK and PVG in 2011. Here you find the passage (ITA) http://www.borsaitaliana.it/borsa/no...ttaglio.html?newsId=795751&lang=it
Anyway, as for the 1st one it has now been officially confirmed, while we are still waiting for the eventual PVG's confirmation, probably in the upcoming weeks/months.
AZ should also manage to coordinate schedule, frequencies...etc with future SkyTeam's partner - China Eastern Airlines - which is also starting PVG-FCO route next march.
Regarding SGN, frankly, I don't see AZ jumping on it. Instead there is a rumor about a Vietnam Airlines operated-flight (SGN-FCO) codesharing with Alitalia, but this is not much more than a speculation so far.
Quoting Fly2yyz (Reply 2): Exactly, I think AZ should go for ICN...I mean I think KE has been on that route for a long time already...wouldnt AZ be able to make a go at it?
Well ICN, along with others, was mentioned in the very first stage of new Alitalia C.A.I. as "future destination" to fly to, although this happened just before the global financial crisis hit the whole world from 2008 onward.
In a side note, once NRT's increasing came into effect this month (from 10x to 14x), AZ will also add, by next june, 1 per week more flight to KIX (a total of 5xw).
Seems like AZ is putting finally a new focus on Far East Area.
IndianicWorld From Australia, joined Jun 2001, 2404 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (2 years 7 months 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 2184 times:
Its a smart move for AZ to try and expand into Asia. I would focus on just 1 Chinese route at this stage though, along with focusing on existing and a couple of other destinations. Slowly opening up new routes, building up FCO as a strong Asian connection hub.
goldorak From France, joined Sep 2006, 1677 posts, RR: 3 Reply 5, posted (2 years 7 months 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 2024 times:
Quoting Talaier (Reply 1): As to Ho Chi Minh, really how much space is there for AZ given that AF is back on the route?
SGN is not a new route or a restarted route for AF. They are flying there for years. The new thing is that the flight is now non-stop instead of making a technical stop in BKK.
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