After a 17-year absence from African skies, Italian airline Alitalia recently reinstated direct f lights between Italy and South Africa. As of 8 April there are four weekly f lights connecting Johannesburg and Rome. Fabio Lazzerini, Alitalia’s Chief Commercial Officer, provides more information on the f light and the airline.
Q: What was the business case behind the reintroduction of the Johannesburg service after 17 years?
A: Our hub, Rome Fiumicino Airport, holds a strategic position as a natural hub for traffic flows to and from Europe. In South Africa there is a strong Italian presence and the new flight will serve important trading volumes between the two countries.
Q: Any other new African routes in the pipeline?
A: Starting from the winter season, Alitalia will operate a new direct flight between Mauritius and Rome Fiumicino. The new flight will operate three times a week with an Airbus 330. The flight schedule allows for smooth connections through the Rome Fiumicino hub and towards national and international destinations served by the Italian airline. The outbound flight will operate every Monday, Thursday and Saturday from Mauritius, and every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from Rome.
Q: What aircraft and business class product will be used on the Johannesburg route?
A: The new flight operates four times a week with an Airbus 330 aircraft, configured in three travel classes: Magnifica business class, premium economy and economy. In Magnifica class passengers get priority check-in desks, security lanes and boarding gates and can check in two bags of up to 32 kilograms each. In addition, passengers can access our Casa Alitalia lounges as well as the lounges of our airline partners. On board, our seats are covered in Poltrona Frau leather and they recline up to 180 degrees. The cabin is relaxing, thanks to a lighting system with lights that vary in intensity and colour depending on the time and the stages of the journey on the new A330s. The menu includes a wide range of the best Italian wines, carefully selected by Alitalia’s sommelier, in collaboration with the Italian Sommelier Foundation. Passengers can enjoy the culinary delights of the different regions every month and passengers can choose when to dine thanks to our “Dine Anytime” service.
Q: What will you be offering business travellers in your premium economy cabin and how is it differentiated from economy and business class?
A: In premium economy, comfort becomes a real masterpiece. Advantages include baggage allowance of two items weighing 23 kilograms, dedicated check-in desks and priority boarding, 10-inch personal screens, and ergonomic seats that recline up to approximately 120 degrees and offer up to 40% more leg room. Onboard service includes a welcome drink, warm hand towels, espresso coffee by lavazza, and meals are finished with limoncello, the typical italian liqueur.
Q: Is there an onboard wi-fi offering, and what is the cost to the business traveller?
A: Magnifica and premium economy passengers receive a voucher (50MB and 10MB respectively) on board for free wi-fi. If you exceed this allowance, you can purchase additional data.
Q: What type of business travel do you anticipate taking place on this route and are there specific industries you are targeting?
A: Italy and South Africa have a strong trading relationship in the metallurgical, mineral, agricultural, engineering, energy and pharmaceutical sectors. Alitalia will mainly target Italian and South African companies and multi-nationals that are operating in these sectors.
Q: You mentioned that Rome Fiumicino airport has undergone a revamp in recent years. Can you expand on that?
A: We are particularly satisfied with the opening of a new ‘E’ boarding area in Rome’s Fiumicino airport which is dedicated to non- Schengen flights. Thanks to the new futuristic infrastructure in Rome’s Fiumicino airport, Rome and Italy can now finally show to worldwide travellers a new, stylish sample that can stand up to any comparison with other major global airports. The ‘E’ boarding area will be the new home of our long-haul flights and we are able to offer an even higher top-class service to our travellers. Thanks to the reduced distance from Terminal 1, where we operate our domestic and Schengen services, we can accommodate faster transits for passengers catching onward flights.
Q: What is unique about Alitalia’s business class lounges?
A: Casa Alitalia offers passengers elegant and comfortable spaces as the next level of celebrating traditional Italian ambience and hospitality. In particular, the Casa Alitalia lounges in Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa have been completely renewed to represent a brand-new hospitality concept under the hallmark of ‘made in Italy’ with the introduction of the exclusive live cooking service where, twice a day, a chef prepares a selection of pasta dishes and pizzas in front of the guests. The catering service at Casa Alitalia reflects Italian culinary excellence. Even vegetarian and gluten-free choices are available. In addition, there is a buffet and bar area where guests can try a selection of Italian wines or enjoy a typical aperitivo prepared by a professional bartender. There are VIP rooms and rooms for private meetings, a library, a prayer area, bathrooms with showers, and wi-fi. Casa Alitalia is a showcase for the unique values of Italian excellence, thanks to partnerships with leading Italian brands such as Poltrona Frau, Cantine Ferrari, Lavazza, and Terme di Sirmione.