Alitalia

Alitalia - Società Aerea Italiana S.p.A.

Company type	Private (formerly state-owned)
Industry	Airline
Founded	September 16, 1946 (1946-09-16)
Defunct	October 15, 2021 (2021-10-15)
Fate	Business transferred to ITA Airways
Headquarters	Fiumicino (near Rome) , Italy
Area served	Domestic, European, and international destinations
Key people	Francesco Caio (Chairman), Fabio Lazzerini (CEO) (appointed 2020)
Products	Passenger air transport
Parent	Italian government (from 2020 until closure)

Alitalia - Società Aerea Italiana S.p.A., commonly known simply as Alitalia (), was once Italy's principal national airline and its largest carrier. Based in Fiumicino, near Rome, the airline remained under government control from its inception in 1946 until it was privatized in 2009. However, financial difficulties persisted after privatization, leading to extraordinary administration in 2017 and a reversion to state ownership in March 2020.

The carrier's fleet consisted of models such as the Airbus A319-100, A320-200, A321-100, A330-200, and Boeing 777-200ER, operating flights to more than 34 destinations domestically, across Europe, and internationally from its primary hub at Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport. As a full member of the SkyTeam alliance, Alitalia maintained codeshare partnerships with 42 airlines. By 2018, it ranked as the twelfth-largest airline within Europe.

On 24 August 2021, Alitalia declared its intention to halt operations effective 15 October 2021, providing customers with options to either reschedule or obtain refunds for their tickets. On that day, its business was transferred to ITA Airways, a newly established government-owned flag carrier, thus concluding Alitalia’s 75-year tenure.

Alitalia - Linee Aeree Italiane

Established on 16 September 1946 as Aerolinee Italiane Internazionali (Italian International Airlines), Alitalia originated from an Anglo-Italian partnership funded by the Italian government and British European Airways (BEA) with a capital investment of 900 million lire (£1,000,000) split at 60/40. The name "Alitalia" merges the words ali (wings) and Italia (Italy). Operations commenced on 5 May 1947, transporting over 10,000 passengers within its first year. The maiden flight employed a Fiat G.12 Alcione aircraft piloted by Virginio Reinero on the route from Turin to Catania and Rome.

A year later, the airline initiated its first intercontinental service between Milan and destinations in South America. The four-engine Savoia-Marchetti SM.95 aircraft served European routes until 1949. On 31 October 1957, Alitalia merged with Linee Aeree Italiane and adopted the name Alitalia – Linee Aeree Italiane. At the time of liquidation, ownership was divided among the Italian Ministry of the Treasury (49%), other shareholders including employees (49%), and Air France-KLM holding an initial 2%, which was later increased to 25%.

By 1960, Alitalia had introduced jet aircraft such as the Sud Caravelle for European routes and utilized the Douglas DC-8 for longer-haul flights. Throughout the 1960s, the Vickers Viscount turboprop aircraft were extensively deployed across its European network.

From 1964 until its cessation in 2021, Alitalia regularly operated charter flights for Pope Paul VI and his successors during pastoral and official visits. These papal flights were popularly referred to as "Shepherd One" by media outlets; their official callsign was "Volo Papale" followed by a unique serial number.

In 1978, Alitalia’s headquarters were situated in Rome’s Palazzo Alitalia.

1990s

During the 1990s, Alitalia transported approximately 25 million passengers annually. In 1997, it launched its regional subsidiary Alitalia Express and became a member of the SkyTeam alliance in 2001. In November 2003, plans were announced to reduce the workforce by 2,700 employees over three years as part of preparations for a merger with Air France and KLM. In April 2004, Alitalia acquired the insolvent regional carrier Gandalf Airlines to gain additional airport slots primarily at Milan (Linate) and Paris (Charles De Gaulle).

In 1995, Alitalia formed a partnership with KLM aimed at developing Malpensa into a hub alongside Amsterdam and Rome Fiumicino.

2000s

In 2001, Alitalia extended its ground handling agreement with SEA and became a member of the SkyTeam alliance.

By September 2007, Alitalia declared plans to reduce its Malpensa hub operations by almost 50%, moving all long-haul flights to Rome-Fiumicino, with the process finalized by March 2008. This strategic shift reinforced Rome-Fiumicino as the airline’s main hub, leading to the discontinuation or relocation of smaller intercontinental routes.

Alitalia - Compagnia Aerea Italiana

In 2008, the consortium named "Compagnia Aerea Italiana" (CAI) was established to acquire the insolvent Alitalia – Linee Aeree Italiane ("old" Alitalia) and merge it with the also bankrupt Air One.

On 30 October 2008, CAI submitted a €1 billion bid to purchase parts of Alitalia amid workforce resistance. The offer received government endorsement and was accepted on 19 November. By 12 December, CAI had taken control of Alitalia’s profitable segments by paying €1.05 billion—comprising €427 million in cash and assuming €625 million in liabilities.

A U.S. diplomatic cable later characterized this transaction as a government-supported transfer of viable assets to investors connected to Silvio Berlusconi, while leaving debts to public coffers and involving modifications to bankruptcy legislation.

The "new" Alitalia commenced operations on 13 January 2009. CAI sold a 25% stake to Air France-KLM for €322 million, granting Air France-KLM an option to increase its share after 2013.

This restructured company did not adopt the former Alitalia’s legacy or obligations, declining benefits for previous employees and disregarding earlier passenger claims.

Unlike its predecessor, the reformed Alitalia owned very few aircraft; most were leased mainly from Aircraft Purchase Fleet (APFL), an Irish firm owned by Carlo Toto, the former proprietor of bankrupt Air One—which had merged into Alitalia-LAI in 2008 during restructuring.

2010s

January 2010 marked the first anniversary of Alitalia’s relaunch, having transported 22 million passengers during its inaugural year. Passenger volume increased to 25 million by 2011. On 1 February 2010, the airline encountered its first strike since relaunch due to wage disagreements. By March that year, it introduced Air One as a low-cost subsidiary ("Smart Carrier") based at Milan Malpensa Airport, focusing on short-haul leisure destinations with a projected ridership of 2.4 million by 2012; it carried 1.4 million passengers in 2011. Air One expanded its network to include Venice Marco Polo, Pisa, and Catania airports by January 2013.

In February 2011, discussions about merging with Meridiana Fly emerged but ultimately did not proceed. That same month, Alitalia and ENAC unveiled the world’s first safety card featuring braille and three-dimensional characters. In January 2012, memoranda of understanding were signed with Blue Panorama and Wind Jet targeting integration; however, after Italy’s antitrust authority mandated slot concessions for Wind Jet's acquisition approval, Alitalia withdrew from the plan in August 2012.

On 3 May 2013, authorities arrested several Alitalia staff at various airports linked to baggage theft during "Operation Clean Holds." Later that year, confronted with financial instability and supplier defaults, Alitalia secured a €500 million bailout package that included a €75 million capital injection from the state-owned postal service to support ongoing operations.

Alitalia - Società Aerea Italiana

In June 2014, Etihad Airways, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, acquired a 49% ownership interest in Alitalia. Subsequently, on 30 September 2014, Air One, Alitalia's low-cost branch, discontinued its services.

Starting from 1 January 2015, the operations of Alitalia-CAI were transferred to Alitalia-SAI, a company jointly owned with 49% held by Etihad and the remaining 51% by former Italian shareholders. By May 2015, Alitalia declared its intention to terminate its collaboration with Air France-KLM by 2017, citing a decline in the advantages derived from the partnership.

In February 2016, Alitalia announced a significant reduction of its routes from Pisa Airport, maintaining only flights to Olbia and Rome.

On 25 April 2017, following employee opposition to proposed job reductions aimed at cost savings, Alitalia initiated bankruptcy procedures under the supervision of an appointed administrator. The Italian government granted authorization for the bankruptcy filing on 2 May 2017. By mid-May, nationalization was dismissed as an option and the airline was placed on the market for sale. In June 2017, EasyJet expressed interest in acquiring the airline; Ryanair also showed initial interest but later withdrew due to its own operational challenges.

In 2018, formal bids for Alitalia were submitted by Delta Air Lines, EasyJet, and Italy’s Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane. Negotiations commenced in February 2019; however, EasyJet withdrew from discussions in March. After Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Rome, China Eastern Airlines indicated potential investment up to €100 million for a 10% stake. Delta Air Lines also declared readiness to invest similarly for a comparable shareholding.

2020s

On 17 March 2020, after unsuccessful negotiations with prospective Italian and international investors, full ownership of Alitalia was assumed by the Italian government. In April of that year, the government announced plans to take over the carrier by May due to its inability to independently endure the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The airline’s fleet size was projected to shrink from 113 aircraft to "more than 90."

During May 2020, USAerospace Partners, led by Michele Roosevelt Edwards, restated their intent to acquire Alitalia with plans to expand the fleet to approximately 150 aircraft over five years, incorporating models from Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer.

On 21 May 2020, Alitalia withdrew from the SkyTeam Transatlantic Joint Ventures, indicating a strategic realignment in alliance affiliations.

On 29 June 2020, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte appointed Francesco Caio as Chairman and Fabio Lazzerini as CEO of the restructured Alitalia entity, which operated a fleet exceeding one hundred aircraft.

By 24 August 2021, Alitalia halted ticket sales through its official website and announced reimbursement procedures for bookings scheduled beyond 15 October 2021, preceding its succession by ITA Airways.

ITA Airways

On 10 October 2020, authorization was granted by the Italian government for restructuring the airline under the new entity ITA - Italia Trasporto Aereo S.p.A. By late October 2020 (28th), ITA outlined plans to acquire key assets from Alitalia - Società Aerea Italiana S.p.A., including the Alitalia brand name and flight designators, the IATA ticketing code (055), the MilleMiglia loyalty program, and slots at London Heathrow Airport (68 weekly during summer and 65 in winter). This acquisition was valued at approximately €220 million.

On 8 January 2021, the European Commission mandated that an open tender process be conducted for selling Alitalia’s assets rather than private negotiations. It expressed reservations about ITA retaining the Alitalia brand due to concerns regarding continuity; nevertheless, ITA ultimately purchased the brand for €90 million on 14 October 2021. The Commission also recommended separate sales of aviation operations, ground handling services, and maintenance businesses while requiring that airport slots be sold separately. The MilleMiglia program was allowed to be transferred to the new company.

ITA Airways officially began its operations on 15 October 2021.

Company status and structure

Due to ongoing financial deficits, Alitalia – Società Aerea Italiana S.p.A. along with its subsidiary Alitalia Cityliner S.p.A. entered Extraordinary Administration (EA) in May 2017 after being declared insolvent. The Extraordinary Commissioners appointed were Luigi Gubitosi, Prof. Enrico Laghi, and Prof. Stefano Paleari.

The ownership structure comprised Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane holding a 35% share, the Italian Ministry of Economy possessing 15%, and Delta Air Lines contributing technical assistance alongside a 10% minority interest. Ferrovie dello Stato actively sought additional investors for a further 40% stake. Since 2020, the Italian government has held full ownership of Alitalia and its subsidiaries.

Business trends

Although facing bankruptcy, Alitalia continues its operations under the name Alitalia - Società Aerea Italiana S.p.A., which includes Alitalia CityLiner since 1 January 2015. The main financial and operational figures (for the fiscal year ending 31 December) are as follows:

	2015	2016	2017	2018
Turnover (€ million)	3,312	2,880	2,915	3,071
Net profit/loss (EBIT) (€ million)	-199	-360	-496	-343
Employees (FTE) (year end)	×	×	10,871	10,711
Passengers (million)	22.1	22.6	21.3	21.8
Passenger load factor (%)	76.2	78.7	78.7	80.0
Aircraft in group fleet (year end)	141	×	121	×

Data from prior to the reorganisation in 2015 reveal continuous operating losses accompanied by variable load factors and punctuality performance:

Year	Operating profit (€ millions)					Load Factor (%)					On-time performance (%)
	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Total	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Average	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Average
2009	-63 | 15 | -15 | -273 | 51 | 65 | 74 | 70 | 65 | 72 | 72 | ND | ND | 72
2010	-4 | 56 | -34 | -107 | 65 | 71 | 76 | 72 | 71 | 82 | 83 | ND | ND | 80
2011	17 | 90 | -27 | -6 | 64 | 72 | 78 | 77 | 73 | 91 | 85 | 86 | 80 | 86
2012	-60 | 50 | 0 | -119 | 69 | 73 | 78 | 80 | 75 | 88 | 90 | 84 | 86 | 87
2013	ND  |36  | ND  | -50  |71  | ND  |79  | ND  |75  |88  | ND  |86  | ND  |87

ND = No Data; × = Not reported

Head office

Alitalia's main administrative center was situated in Building Alfa on Via Alberto Nassetti, located in Fiumicino, within the Province of Rome. The design of the corporate headquarters was commissioned to AMDL, an architectural firm based in Milan. Before relocating here, the airline's headquarters operated out of a facility at Piazza Almerico da Schio, also found in Fiumicino.

Branding

Alitalia's visual identity was a well-recognized symbol throughout Italy, prominently showcasing the colors of the flag of Italy—green, white, and red. The airline’s name is a fusion of the Italian words ali (meaning 'wings') and Italia ('Italy').

The signature paint scheme, first introduced in 1969, displayed a stylized letter A on the tailfin combined with a hockey stick motif extending along the fuselage. After forming a partnership with Etihad Airways, Alitalia updated its livery to feature a warm ivory tone on the fuselage with the Alitalia A artistically enveloping the tail section. The final branding and livery design were developed by Landor.

Advertising

Alitalia employed multiple slogans over time to enhance its brand presence, such as:

• "Alitalia vola con te" (Alitalia flies with you)
• "Fatti per volare alto" (Made to fly high)
• "Alitalia, al lavoro per te" (Alitalia, working for you)
• "Muoviamo chi muove l'Italia" (We move those who move Italy)
• "Scegli come volare" (Choose how to fly)
• "The pleasure of flying Made in Italy"

In 2014, Alitalia adopted the slogan "Alitalians do it better," while promoting internationally with "Where the journey meets the destination."

Alitalia - LAI financial issue

Alitalia-Linee Aeree Italiane S.p.A. struggled with ongoing financial losses attributed to labor conflicts, political meddling, and operational difficulties. Despite numerous government interventions—such as €1.5 billion injected in 1998, capital infusions exceeding €3 billion between 2002 and 2005, and temporary loans—the airline recorded net losses surpassing €3.7 billion from 1999 through 2008, experiencing profitability only once since its establishment in 1946.

Restrictions imposed by the EU on state aid barred further government capital contributions after 2006. As a result, efforts shifted toward privatizing the airline by decreasing state ownership. Multiple attempts at mergers and acquisitions were unsuccessful.

In May 2008, a government decree exempted Alitalia from publicly disclosing details regarding its sale process, which led to an indefinite suspension of trading on the Milan stock exchange. Collaborating with Intesa Sanpaolo, the government formulated a strategy for Alitalia to declare bankruptcy to shield it from creditors and segment the company into viable and non-viable units. Subsequently, Alitalia filed for bankruptcy protection in August 2008.

After takeover negotiations collapsed in September 2008, Pope Benedict XVI publicly conveyed his hopes and prayers for the airline’s future stability.

Alitalia - CAI financial issue

CAI (Compagnia Aerea Italiana), an Italian investor consortium, presented a binding bid worth €1.1 billion to Alitalia’s bankruptcy trustee on 30 October 2008 to acquire portions of the carrier despite resistance from certain pilots’ and flight attendants’ unions. The Italian government along with the bankruptcy trustee gave their approval for CAI’s acquisition on 19 November 2008.

On 12 December 2008, CAI took ownership of Alitalia - Linee Aeree Italiane S.p.A.’s profitable assets by paying €1.052 billion ($1.33 billion), which included €427 million in cash and assuming €625 million in debt. From 1 December 2008 onward, CAI became responsible for all operational costs related to Alitalia. The consortium also incorporated Air One into its portfolio.

Alitalia Cargo

Established in 1947, Alitalia Cargo became a member of SkyTeam Cargo in 2001, concentrating on key markets such as China, Korea, Japan, and the United States. Its fleet comprised five McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter aircraft based at Malpensa International Airport. Due to financial challenges, the cargo division was sold and ceased operations on 12 January 2009.

Volare dispute

In December 2005, the insolvent Volare Group (Volareweb, Air Europe) was put up for sale. Alitalia submitted a bid along with competitors Air One and Meridiana/Eurofly. Air One contested Alitalia’s offer in court, arguing that Alitalia had previously received state aid. However, the TAR (Regional Administrative Tribunal) of Lazio approved the acquisition after verifying that Alitalia had repaid its €400 million loan. Despite Air One’s continued legal opposition, Alitalia established Volare SpA to acquire Volare Group, which had started providing maintenance services for Alitalia planes at Milan Malpensa. Nevertheless, on 23 May 2006, the Italian Consiglio di Stato again blocked the takeover due to Volare’s ongoing financial instability. On 2 November 2006, TAR invalidated the administrative process of selling Volare but upheld the sales agreement itself; Air One would have to pursue civil litigation to nullify it. Alitalia’s €38 million bid was accepted, and on 15 May 2006 former Volare staff were transferred to Volare SpA.

Antitrust matters involving Alitalia - LAI

In December 2005, Italy’s antitrust authority fined Alitalia €30,000 for deceptive advertising practices that promoted round-trip fares while displaying only one-way ticket prices on its website during May and June 2005.

In July 2008, the European Court of Justice dismissed Alitalia's appeal against the European Commission’s conditions concerning state aid granted in 2001 for restructuring purposes. The ruling upheld the commission’s directives which included:

• Italian authorities must behave as ordinary shareholders;
• Financial support provided is strictly for restructuring and not for expanding operations;
• Alitalia is required to divest its holding in Hungarian carrier Malev;
• State aid must be granted as a single, non-recurring payment.

Destinations

By October 2019, Alitalia operated flights to 97 destinations with its primary hub at Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport, supported by four additional focus cities within Italy.

Alliances

Alitalia became part of the SkyTeam alliance in 2001 and maintained membership since 2009. It engaged in numerous code-share partnerships with SkyTeam members, facilitating passengers’ ability to book connecting flights under one itinerary. In July 2010, Alitalia joined a transatlantic joint venture alongside Air France, KLM, and Delta Air Lines, sharing revenues on Atlantic routes. On 21 May 2020, Alitalia withdrew from the SkyTeam Transatlantic Joint Venture.

Alitalia’s loyalty program MilleMiglia, boasting over six million members, was not transferred to ITA Airways and continues to operate independently.

Codeshare agreements

To broaden its network and enhance market presence, Alitalia engaged in codeshare collaborations with a wide range of airlines, such as:

• Aeroflot
• Aerolíneas Argentinas
• Air Corsica
• Air Europa
• Air France and Air France Hop
• Air Malta
• Air Serbia
• Air Seychelles
• airBaltic
• All Nippon Airways
• Azerbaijan Airlines
• Azul Brazilian Airlines
• Bulgaria Air
• Blue Air
• China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines
• Continental Airlines
• Croatia Airlines
• Czech Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Etihad Airways
• Gol Transportes Aéreos
• Hainan Airlines
• Kenya Airways
• KLM
• Korean Air
• Kuwait Airways
• Luxair
• Middle East Airlines
• Northwest Airlines
• Pegasus Airlines
• Royal Air Maroc
• Royal Jordanian
• Saudia
• SriLankan Airlines
• TAP Air Portugal
• TAROM
• Uzbekistan Airways
• Vietnam Airlines
• Virgin Australia
• XiamenAir

Final fleet

Before halting operations, Alitalia's aircraft lineup consisted of the following models.

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Fleet development

From 2009 until 2011, Alitalia undertook a fleet modernization program, introducing 34 new aircraft while phasing out 26 older planes. This transition was finalized by early 2013. The majority of these new airplanes were leased through Aircraft Purchase Fleet (APF), an Irish leasing firm established by Carlo Toto, the former owner of Air One, specifically to acquire Alitalia’s updated fleet. Following the merger with Air One, all owned aircraft from both carriers were consolidated under APF, a subsidiary of Toto Holding, with most registrations assigned in Ireland instead of Italy.

2020 Strategic Initiatives

As part of its 2020 reorganization under the ownership of the Italian government, Alitalia intended to downsize its fleet from 113 aircraft to slightly over 90. The carrier planned to incorporate Airbus A320-200s and potentially A320neos for short-distance flights, while selecting Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliners for long-haul operations, despite Airbus proposing alternatives such as the A330neo and A350 XWB models. Alitalia was negotiating for list price reductions ranging between 50% and 70%.

Fleet History

Aircraft	In service	Orders	Passenger configuration					Remarks
			B	E+	E	Total	Sources
Airbus A319-100	19	—	—	—	144	144		18 aircraft transferred to ITA Airways.
Airbus A320-200	38	—	—	—	171	171		27 units moved to ITA Airways.
					174	174
					180	180
Airbus A321-100	5	—	—	—	200	200
Airbus A330-200	10	—	20	17	219	256		7 aircraft transferred to ITA Airways.
Boeing 777-200ER	6	—	30	24	239	293		EI-DDH featured SkyTeam livery. EI-ISD converted to cargo configuration.
Total	78	—

Douglas DC-4 1964 |1950 1965 |1954 1965 Douglas DC-6 |1950 |1963 |- Douglas DC-6B |1953 |1971 |- Douglas DC-7C |1958 |1965 |- Douglas DC-8-43 |1960 |1977 |- Douglas DC-8-62 |1967 |1981 |- McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30 |1967 |1996 |- Fiat G.12 |1947 |1950 |- Fokker F27 |1964 |1985 |- McDonnell Douglas DC-10 |1973 |1985 |- McDonnell Douglas MD-11 |1991 |2003 |- McDonnell Douglas MD-82 |1983 |2012 |- Savoia-Marchetti S.M.95 |1947 |1951 |- Sud Aviation Caravelle |1960 |1977 |- Vickers Viscount |1957 |1968 |}

• Throughout the 1960s, Alitalia was a pioneer among European carriers by fully transitioning to jet aircraft, becoming the continent's first airline with an exclusively jet-powered fleet by 1969.
• The Boeing 767-300ER was introduced in 1994 as part of efforts to overhaul Alitalia’s financially troubled international routes. Initially, these aircraft were wet-leased from AWAS and operated through Monarch Airlines due to pilot agreements and ETOPS certification constraints. By April 1997, all six planes were registered in Italy. The final unit was retired after seventeen years of service in 2012.
• The McDonnell Douglas MD-82 operated between 1983 and its retirement in 2012, marking a service span of twenty-nine years. Its last commercial flight occurred on October 27, 2012, followed by a commemorative flight in December attended by media representatives and former CEO Andrea Ragnetti, highlighted by an aerobatic demonstration from Frecce Tricolori.

Unique Liveries

• Mid-2009: Boeing 767-300ER (EI-DBP) adorned with SkyTeam colors.
• July 19, 2010: Airbus A320-200 (EI-DSA), initially painted in Air One livery, showcased a special "Alitalia.com" design; later updated to Alitalia-SAI livery.
• March 2012: Embraer E190 (EI-RND) and Boeing 777-200ER (EI-DDH) delivered featuring SkyTeam branding.
• April 2012: Airbus A321-100 (EI-IXI) wore the historic Freccia Alata-Linee Aeree Italiane paint scheme; subsequently scrapped.
• November 2013: Airbus A330-200 (EI-DIR), formerly in Air One colors, repainted with SkyTeam livery.
• March 2014: Airbus A330-200 (EI-EJG) and A320-200 (EI-DSM) received liveries celebrating Calabria; EI-EJG reverted to Alitalia-SAI, while EI-DSM was sold to Congo Airways.
• April 2014: Airbus A319-100 (EI-IMI) sported a special Friuli-Venezia Giulia design; returned to Alitalia-SAI colors by August 2015.
• October 2014: Airbus A330-200 (EI-EJM) featured Expo 2015 livery in collaboration with Etihad Airways; now carrying Alitalia-SAI colors.
• December 2014: Airbus A320-200 (EI-DSW) displayed Jeep Renegade branding; currently painted in Alitalia-SAI livery.

Onboard Services

Alitalia provided four distinct travel classes: Economy, Premium Economy, Business Class Medium Haul, and Magnifica. WiFi connectivity and seat-back entertainment systems were exclusively available on long-haul flights.

Loyalty Program

The airline's frequent flyer scheme, known as MilleMiglia, was integrated within the SkyTeam alliance, allowing travelers to accumulate and redeem miles throughout the alliance's extensive network.

Members qualified for Alitalia's Privilege tiers—Ulisse, Freccia Alata, and Freccia Alata Plus—based on their annual mileage accumulation, each offering a range of perks and corresponding SkyTeam Elite status levels.

On 3 February 2015, Etihad Airways secured a 75% ownership stake in Alitalia Loyalty S.p.A., the operator of MilleMiglia, while Alitalia maintained the remaining 25%. This company became part of the Global Loyalty Company (GLC), which also managed Etihad Guest and other loyalty programs, collectively serving 14 million members worldwide. However, on 18 December 2018, Alitalia reacquired the full 75% share from GLC, regaining sole control over MilleMiglia.

Accidents and Incidents

Throughout its history, Alitalia encountered eight hijackings alongside 29 aircraft accidents or incidents. Two pilots from Alitalia, Alberto Nassetti and Pier Paolo Racchetti, lost their lives as passengers aboard Airbus Industrie Flight 129. In tribute, the airline named two Boeing 767 aircraft in their honor.

• On 30 June 1982, a Boeing 747 carrying 340 passengers was hijacked by Sri Lankan Sepala Ekanayake, who demanded $300,000 and intended to divert the flight to Bangkok. He was subsequently apprehended in Sri Lanka.
• On 24 April 2011, Flight 329 from Paris to Rome faced an attempted hijacking with the goal of redirecting it to Tripoli. The individual involved was reportedly affiliated with Kazakhstan’s UNESCO delegation. Crew members and passengers successfully subdued the hijacker. Cabin crew member Ermenegildo Rossi was awarded the Gold Medal for Civil Merit for his courageous actions. The flight landed safely and authorities detained the hijacker.

Alitalia fleet history since the 1960s

Aircraft	Entry into Service	Withdrawal
Airbus A300B2	1988	1997
Airbus A300B4	1980	1998
Airbus A321-100	1994	2020
Avro 691 Lancastrian	1947	1951
Boeing 727-200	1977	1985
Boeing 737-200C	1992	1995
Boeing 747-100	1970	1979
Boeing 747-200B	1971	2002
Boeing 767-300ER	1995	2012
Boeing 777-300ER	2017	2021
Convair CV-240	1953	1956
Convair CV-340	1953	1960
Convair 440 Metropolitan	1957	1960
Curtiss C-46 Commando	1962	1968
Douglas DC-3	1946	1964

See also

• Transport in Italy
• List of airlines of Italy
• List of airports in Italy
• List of companies of Italy
• ITA Airways

External links

• Alitalia Corporate Website

Flight	Date	Aircraft	Location	Incident Description	Casualties
					Fatal	Serious	Minor	Uninjured
451	18 December 1954	Douglas DC-6B	New York, Idlewild Airport	During its fourth landing attempt at New York-Idlewild runway approach, the aircraft impacted a pier.	26	6	0	0
	21 December 1959	Vickers Viscount	Rome, Ciampino Airport	The plane crashed short of the runway amid a crew check simulating an emergency landing.	2	0	0	0
618	26 February 1960	Douglas DC-7C	Shannon, Ireland, Shannon Airport	After takeoff, it lost altitude for unknown reasons and crashed.	34	18	0	0
771	7 July 1962	Douglas DC-8	Mumbai, Sahar International Airport, India	A navigation error during a nighttime approach caused controlled flight into terrain.	94	0	0	0
045	28 March 1964	Vickers Viscount	Naples, Monte Somma, Italy	The aircraft crashed during an incorrect visual approach at night amid adverse weather.	45	0	0	0
660	2 August 1968	(DC-8)	(Milan), Malpensa Airport, Italy	(DC-8) Crashed following a non-standard approach under severe weather conditions.	(13)	(0)	(82)	(0)