Alitalia To Start New Delhi Operations From July 2004

Reema Sisodia - Mumbai

The recent scene at the Alitalia headquarters in Italy was rather turbulent. It witnessed an all new leadership and a complete revamp of the airline’s business strategies at its headquarters in Italy. The volatile background had created ripples about the future of the airline and its very existence, perceiving an unstable future for its units across the world, India included. This did raise doubts about the airline’s plans to start its long pending operation plan between New Delhi and Milan.

Keeping in view the disturbing background, the airline has till date, decided to go ahead with their plans to commence its New Delhi-Milan operations from July 1, 2004, with a frequency of six flights per week.

Speaking about the Indian plans and the situation, Sergio Ferriani, general manager, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives & Bangladesh, Alitalia, explained, “At the headquarters level our rescue plans are on. The airline is on the path of being restructured. Our plans to start a new air route with respect to India would continue as planned, subject to orders from the headquarters. We have not received any instructions or notice to re-schedule or redefine our plans till date. New Delhi has always been regarded to be an extremely strategic point for the airline. Our work toward setting up an office in the Indian capital in on in full force.”

The New Delhi route is being looked at as promising, since the airline is expecting large tourist traffic to New Delhi from those tourists who would visit Rajasthan, which is a popular destination with the international traveller. But he also agreed that the airline is not passing through the best of situations and hence with a delicate situation anything can happen, without much notice.