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Alitalia to stop operations in October

Italian flag-carrier Alitalia will stop operations from October 15, as it will be replaced by state-owned ITA (Italia Trasporto Aereo).

Alitalia said on Twitter: “From midnight 25/8 Alitalia will no longer sell tickets for flights from 15/10. It will be possible to rebook the flight within 14/10 or request a full refund. Soon a direct communication will be sent to all customers with further instructions.”

The new carrier ITA said it can start selling tickets from Thursday (August 26) and will begin flying on October 15.

It is owned by the Italian economic ministry and its business plan was approved by the European Commission in July.

It gained its Air Operator Certificate and Operating Licence from ENAC (the Italian Aviation Authority) on August 18. It has started recruiting staff and is in talks with trade unions about working conditions.

Fabio Lazzerini, chief executive and general manager of ITA, said: “In recent days, with the certifications obtained from ENAC, we have reached an important milestone in the history of ITA.

“Now we must achieve new and complex goals in view of the launch of operations on October 15 and numerous projects must be completed in order to create an efficient, sustainable, digital airline, capable of facing future challenges with flexibility and in full discontinuity with the past.”

ITA aims to have a fleet of 52 aircraft that will grow to 105 by the end of 2025.

The Telegraph reported that it will take over Alitalia’s slots at Heathrow in October, flying to Rome and Milan.

“Italy has struggled to find investors to save the bankrupt airline after it was put into state administration in 2017,” reported the Telegraph.

“The situation has been made worse by the pandemic which saw flights grounded around the world.”

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