Alitalia launches new flights and invests in its captains’ education

Alitalia launches news flights from Rome Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi, Fortaleza, Yerevan, and Prague as part of a strategy for the development of its international and intercontinental network. Tickets for the new routes can already be purchased at the airlines' website.

The flight to Abu Dhabi, aimed at connecting Italy to flourishing United Arab Emirates and enabling travellers to better reach Australia, Thailand, Oman; Bahrain, and South Africa, will start on December 1 with a frequency of four times a week, with three new classes of travel: Classica-Economy, Classica Plus-Premium Economy and Magnifica-Business, with sofa beds.

The new link between Rome and Yerevan opens on December 11 with two weekly flights on Tuesday and Friday.

The Rome - Fortaleza connection will instead be active from January 14, 2013 on a twice weekly frequency. Three classes of service will be provided: Magnifica (business), Classica Plus (premium economy), and e Classica (economy class). Fortaleza will be the third destination in Brasil covered by Alitalia, adding to Sao Paulo (up to 9 weekly flights from Rome Fiumicino) and Rio de Janeiro (up to 6 flights per week).

The new link Rome FCO - Prague will run instead from January 29, 2013 every Tuesday and Saturday with two classes of service provided.

As part of the new Alitalia business plan, the Italian carrier is also investing in its captains' education offering them a management course held by the Bocconi University in the Alitalia offices of Milan and Rome.

Eight hundred Commanders of the Alitalia fleet - considered key assetts for the innovation and growth of the company -  will follow the courses. The goal will be for them to familiarize with the different business models.  The company is confident that the lessons will give the Commanders useful managerial skills that will turn them into protagonists of the company's business.