Alitalia To Revive Cargo Operations
Posted in Air France, Alitalia, KLM, Milan Malpensa on April 12th, 2009 by Milan Malpensa Airport News
Air France KLM Alitalia
Air France KLM, Europe’s largest airline, last week completed the acquisition of a 25% stake in Alitalia for €260 million.
Sabelli said Air France KLM also is planning a multi hub strategy based on Paris Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam Schiphol and Milan Malpensa.
Alitalia already operates long haul passenger flights, with freight capacity from Malpensa to the US, Japan and Brazil, and could add further services to the US, Argentina, and China if the tri-hub strategy is adopted, Sabelli said.
Alitalia grounded its five MD-11 freighters in January after CAI, the new owners declined to take on its unprofitable cargo operation.
Foreign airlines moved into Italy’s cargo market, Europe’s second largest after Germany, following the demise of Alitalia Cargo.
Lufthansa Cargo, Air France-KLM’s closest European rival, began twice weekly freighter services between Malpensa, New York and Chicago in February and its recently established Italian unit also is carrying freight on domestic services.
Cargolux, the Luxembourg-based all-cargo carrier, has established an Italian subsidiary and is awaiting regulatory approval to start long haul flights from Malpensa. Service is expected to start in April.
