The following flights to/from MXP will be cut: Long Haul to BOS, YYZ, CCS, GRU, KIX, EWR, ORD

All existing FCO routes remain. MXP retains its existing JFK, NRT, EZE and (maybe) MIA routes.


2 767's leave fleet (used for cut India and China routes)

Up to 10 ATR72's, 12 MD 80's and 2 Emb145's leave fleet.

Source:
http://www.aviazionecivile.it/forum/...pic.asp?TOPIC_ID=30559&whichpage=2

The following flights to/from MXP will be cut: Long Haul to BOS, YYZ, CCS, GRU, KIX, EWR, ORD

All existing FCO routes remain. MXP retains its existing JFK, NRT, EZE and (maybe) MIA routes.


This is a serious error by AZ. Most business travellers going to Italy are heading the north of the country, not the center.

Now, if they want to travel to Milan on AZ they will have to fly into Rome first. Some, of course, may -- but in most cases it will be a shorter trip to fly to Amsterdam or Paris and connecting there. After all, why fly south, past Milan, and then head back up north?

I know that AZ has problems hosting two major hubs, but it would have made more sense to cut back on the FCO flights. Someone in Boston or Chicago who wants to go Rome would have no problem in stopping in Milan -- and then continuing in the same, southerly, direction.

wow...a 150 flights cut from MXP all together

Everytime I ve gone through MXP, it seemed like the airport was bursting with too much traffic. Its the only place I have ever experienced widebody aircraft being loaded by bus, seems every piece of tarmac available is made to be a parking space at MXP. The transfer security lines and the passport control on arrival lines are horrendous

This is such a complicated issue. I think a lot of government support was to have the main hub be Roma. Everyone knows that most business travelers go to the North, but its the politicians who wanted to focus the hub in Roma.

Everyone knows that most business travelers go to the North, but its the politicians who wanted to focus the hub in Roma.And that is the core reason that AZ is in trouble- decisions are made for political reasons and not for business reasons.

it seems that Alitalia will not keep much long haul... perhaps because it will be soon bought by AF/KL (or AirOne/LH). Here it makes business reason, AZ will be the main carrier for flights to/from Central and South Eastern Europe. KL for Northern Europe, AF for Southern Europe and Northern Africa.

wow...a 150 flights cut from MXP all together

Everytime I ve gone through MXP, it seemed like the airport was bursting with too much traffic. Its the only place I have ever experienced widebody aircraft being loaded by bus, seems every piece of tarmac available is made to be a parking space at MXP. The transfer security lines and the passport control on arrival lines are horrendous


CDG also, on my recent CDG-JNB is was shocked to be put on a bus... sucks

bad bad move on AZs part, especially bcs i am from MXP:mad:.

Above link does not work....

So when will these changes take effect?

So will there be no flights between Italy and Canada from whenever on on AZ?

This article (http://www.politicaonline.net/forum/showthread.php?t=365864) indicates that the departure of AZ could be a great opportunity for MXP. The head of SEA, which runs MXP, claims to have a long line of airlines eager to grab the vacated slots, and that they are preparing to spend a billion euro upgrading MXP. He also calls this a suicide move on the part of AZ.

Others in the thread thought he was exaggerating, or disagreed... but there is clearly at least a seed of truth in what he says. Ryanair is talking with SEA about slots at MXP, and Ryanair hauls a lot of pax in and out of Italy.

Elsewhere in that forum it claims that AA is going to resume JFK-MXP on May 1 '08.
AA198 Jfk1745 - 0810+1mxp
AA199 Mxp1035 - 1340jfk
That's really close to the current AZ time slot.

Circling the drain...

So sad for AZ. :(

A once proud flag carrier, run into the ground by the incompetence of management, the unmovability of labor, and the meddling of politicians who don't understand the industry.

Above link does not work....

So when will these changes take effect?

So will there be no flights between Italy and Canada from whenever on on AZ?


Looks like the plan was approved and the changes to be in effect on or about March 2008.

I think that. *IF* the purpose of the company plan is to reach the best condition in order to sell Alitalia, this was the logical choice. Cutting MXP is necessary to make AZ more attractive for a potential buyer (let's say BA LH AF.... even if only AF said it's interested in right now).

Then, if we're approaching the matter without considering the sale, we could discuss for many months if it's better to use MXP or FCO as a hub, and we won't find a final answer.

One thing is evident: two hubs were not sustainable by AZ. For many years the board didn't take the responsibility to choose. Now all of us *MUST* be happy because now someone has chosen.
I don't know if it has been better to choose MXP over FCO, or the contrary, but i'm sure that both the ways are far better than to keep 2 hubs.

So i'm glad to know AZ made its choice. Now let's wait and see.
Luke