Alitalia Cancels All Flights & Prepares For Closure In October

Italy’s Alitalia will halt operations effective October 15 and has stopped selling tickets for any dates after October 14. 

The move has been expected since last month when a launch date of October 15 was set for Italia Transporto Aereo (ITA), the state-owned carrier that will replace bankrupt Alitalia, which is also state-owned. 

In a Tuesday, August 24, announcement, Alitalia stated that customers holding tickets for any flight after October 15 can rebook to the same destination free of charge for an earlier date. Alternatively, customers can request a full refund. 

Related: Italy Will Talk With EU Of Revamp Of Alitalia This Week

Under an insolvency agreement reached between Italy and the EU, ITA will acquire Alitalia’s assets through direct negotiation. The new carrier also plans to take part in a public bidding process for the Alitalia name and logo. 

ITA will begin operations flying a fleet of 52 aircraft to 45 destinations on 61 routes with bases in Milan and Rome. Initial US destinations will be New York, Boston, and Miami, with service to Washington and Los Angeles expected to be added in summer 2022.

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