You might also like:
Alitalia, today re-launched its Johannesburg-Rome route after 16 years away, making it the only carrier to host a direct flight between the two cities.
“We [the city of Ekhuruleni] are extremely excited at the return of Alitalia after a 16-year absence from our skies. The reintroduction of Alitalia is a welcome boost to our ambition of attracting more investment to boost the economy of our region, and create more needed jobs in our city,” said City Manager of Ekhuruleni, Imogen Mashazi. The flight would ensure that more people were introduced to the brand Ekhuruleni, and South Africa at large, she said. “Even more important is the fact that that this move will expose us to more international investors and visitors who, I am sure, will find Ekhuruleni to be the best place to live, play and invest.”
Alitalia was voted the world’s most punctual airline in the first two months of 2018, and selected OR Tambo International Airport as its ‘gateway to Africa’ hub due to its similar striving for professionalism and excellence in operations. “As an airport, we constantly strive to be ranked competitively within a global market, as we continue to drive our business – seeking new business development opportunities,” said GM of OR Tambo International Airport, Bongiwe Pityi.
The airline will operate a 250-seat Airbus A330-200 configured in Magnifica business class, premium economy and economy class. Initially it will operate four times a week, with the possibility of increasing the schedule, depending on demand.
“The timing of Alitalia’s return to South Africa is really apt, considering the City of Ekhuruleni’s plans to develop an Aerotropolis, through which the Gauteng city region hopes to attract strategic investments in key economic sectors, which include aviation, aerospace, manufacturing and logistics. And as it relates to logistics, we are also now responding to the capacity requirements of all of our stakeholders, who will soon be building a cargo terminal,” said Pityi. “The engine of an aerotropolis is, without a doubt, the airport as well as its air routes, which offer speed and connectivity. Alitalia, with its connectivity to 94 international destinations, including 26 Italian, and 68 international destinations, with over 4 000 weekly flights, and 143 routes, will contribute immensely to the realisation of the aerotropolis, and will enhance the attractiveness of Johannesburg as a destination.”
Chief Commercial Officer and Revenue Management of Alitalia, Fabio Maria Lazzerini, said the Italian carrier was confident not only in the present (and its decision to relaunch the JNB-Rome route), but also in the future of the partnership. “This is why we opened this gateway which, for us, is really the gateway to Africa.”
The inaugural flight landed at OR Tambo International Airport this morning at 08h15, to a grey-water cannon salute, ‘cheers’ of champagne glasses, and an emotional welcome-home to Alitalia.
“As a city, we commit to working with stakeholders like Acsa, Gauteng and SA Tourism to explore more opportunities that expose our city to the rest of the world… Air connectivity has become the best way to facilitate trade and tourism around the globe, resulting in an economic boom and job creation. Indeed it is our firm belief that through airline connectivity we stand an even better chance to boost our city’s competitiveness in the areas of investment and tourism,” concluded Mashazi.
Source: tourismupdate.co.za