by Mario Masciullo, eTN Italy
More than 350 operators and travel agents from all over the world were invited to Rome by Alitaia to ilustrate the company’s product innovations and development strategies, with a significant claim: “The future is looking up.”
The strategies disclosed aim to achieve the best air connections for its passengers, regardless of what will be the outcome of the sale.
“After a turbulent 2017, we are back to growth,” said the extraordinary commissioner Luigi Gubitosi during the opening session. “We have changed a good part of the management, and thanks to the trust of Italian and foreign operators, we are still on track and want to play our part.
“The signals are there. For the first time in 6 years, we have recorded an increase in revenue of +4%, and we have become the best airline for punctuality (91%), a plus of great commercial value for loyalty business. This means that we respect the businessman who can count on safe schedules and high tariff flexibility. We also offer a state-of-the-art hub at Rome Fiumicino which is among the least chaotic in Europe and today one of the most redeveloped on an international level.”
A passionate endorsement for the national carrier was then immediately shared by Fabio Lazzerini, chief commercial officer (CCO), who stated: “We refuse to lose, and plan the future, controlling costs, and increasing the business. We are doing it with passion, listening to the comments and suggestions of the partner operators, and working on the service in every sector – from booking to handling the complaint – and on the offer. The first results prove us right: in the last three months we have recorded a +6.4% in bookings and a +10% in the average value with good performance especially on the long haul. In June 2017, Alitalia scored less 65% in bookings.”
Alitalia is concentrating most of its operating investments right on the long-haul and the leisure segment “with the reopening of important routes like Delhi, after 8 years, and soon Johannesburg. We then reaped tremendous success with flights to the Maldives, to which we will add the link to Mauritius from next October 28, confirming our attention to the entire Indian Ocean, a premium market for Italian outgoing.
And for the summer season, Alitalia makes the route to the islands of Greece, the Balearics (Formentera and Ibiza), and Cyprus with an incoming mission supported by the new “Destination Italy” website with which Lazzerini has declared that it wants to ‘intercept new foreign market segments’ for Alitalia flights.”
With this in mind, Lazzerini emphasized the Stop Over operation at Rome Fiumicino which foresees the offer of up to 3 nights in Rome for intercontinental passengers, to which is added the Italy & Europe Pass – a voucher that allows Alitalia passengersto visit other European capitals.
The Milan-London City shuttle, 6 flights a day, to which are added 2 flights on Heathrow and the reconfirmation of the Light Fares, are much appreciated by the trade and completes the new products.
Finally, more investments are planned of which partly have already been announced regarding the new staff uniforms of the air carrier entrusted to the creativity made in Italy by the well-known designer Alberta Ferretti and the new lounge at Terminal E, the flagship of Fiumicino airport.
In this regard, Fausto Palombelli, director of marketing and aviation development of Aeroporti di Roma, (AdR) reiterated that: “Alitalia, with 40% share in airport activities and 55% in transit volumes, is an AdR reference partner. Growing together means working well for Italy.”
Douglas Quinby, senior vice president of PhocusWright, stated in his intervention, “The era of online is ending, and the future belongs to personalized and digitized services, keeping in mind that mobile travel and apps are revolutionizing the way to approach the many services available to travelers.”
The words of Douglas Quinby and the above statement of commercial improvement confirmed the management of Alitalia’s plans to re-gain its international role and return to high levels.
