LONDON – In 2020, the Italian government decided to take over the Italian airline Alitalia and replace it with ITA Airways.
But has the transition been a smooth sailing process, or have there been some bumps along the way?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how Alitalia’s transition to ITA Airways has unfolded over the last year and explore what it means for passengers.
Alitalia & ITA Airways…
Alitalia, the flag carrier of Italy, has been in operation since 1947. The airline is headquartered in Rome and flies to over 100 destinations worldwide.
The transition from Alitalia to ITA Airways has not been without its challenges. In 2015, Alitalia was forced to cancel hundreds of flights due to staffing shortages.
The following year, Alitalia announced plans to cut 1,600 jobs and reduce its flight schedule by 20%. These changes caused significant disruptions for passengers and led to criticism from labor unions.
History of the Transition Period…
The first phase of Alitalia’s transition to ITA Airways began on 11th November 2020, when the airline ceased operating under its old name and started operating under its new name, ITA.
The second phase of the transition began on October 15, 2021, when ITA launched operations.
Since then, ITA has been gradually expanding its operations and routes, and the airline is now operating to more than 60 destinations across Italy and Europe.
The airline has also been working on increasing its intercontinental connectivity with new routes to North America, Asia, and Africa.
Despite some challenges along the way, such as strikes by Alitalia employees during the transition period, ITA has largely been able to maintain a smooth operation.
In fact, the airline has even managed to improve its financial performance in recent years.
Benefits of the Transition to ITA Airways…
The transition to ITA Airways has been largely positive for Alitalia, with the airline seeing a number of benefits since making the switch.
One of the biggest advantages has been the improved financial stability that ITA Airways has brought to Alitalia.
This will be further reinforced if the bid from Lufthansa to the Italian Government on January 19 goes through with no issues.
This has allowed the airline to invest more in its product and service offering, leading to a better experience for passengers.
Other benefits of the transition include access to a larger network of destinations and improved operational efficiency through its partnership with Star Alliance.
Overall, the transition to ITA Airways has been positive for Alitalia and its passengers.
Impact on Passengers and Employees
As the national carrier of Italy, Alitalia has been through a lot of changes over the years. Most recently, the airline has transitioned from Alitalia-ENAC to ITA Airways.
This change has not been without its challenges, as both passengers and employees have had to adjust to the new airline.
Passengers have reported mixed experiences with ITA Airways so far. Some have said that the transition has been relatively smooth, while others have had more difficulty.
One common complaint is that ITA Airways does not offer as many flights to destinations outside of Italy as Alitalia did.
This can be frustrating for passengers who are used to the old airline’s schedule.
Employees have also had to adjust to the new airline. Some workers were laid off during the transition, and those who remain are still getting used to the new company culture.
There have been some reports of tensions between employees and management, but overall most workers seem happy with the change.
Overall…
All in all, Alitalia’s transition to ITA Airways has been a mostly positive experience for customers.
While the airline still faces some challenges, such as competing with bigger airlines and providing better customer service, they are on the right track.
As more people become aware of their excellent range of services and competitive prices, it is expected that ITA will continue to grow in popularity.
With its strong presence in Europe and beyond, ITA Airways is sure to become an even greater success story over the years!
