Air Italy website access from some Asian countries (blocked)
Jul 14, 2019, 8:31 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: MM, Krisflyer, QFF, VFF
Posts: 441
Air Italy website access from some Asian countries (blocked)
21/07/19 Update:
For those that cannot access https://www.airitaly.com/ directly, you can make/manage bookings via their call centre. The number to call is:
Italian 24-hr number: +39 0789 52682
US number: +1 (866) 387 6359
Thailand (agency): +662 163 4315
Alternatively, you can use a travel agency, or a VPN/proxy.
Singapore, Indonesia and Hong Kong are confirmed countries that cannot access the site, and there could be others.
The problem has been reported in early June 2019. There is currently no ETA on a fix.
------------------------------------------------------
Back in early June I tried to access the website from within Singapore but it appeared blocked. I sent a FB message and a consultant replied saying they have escalated the problem.
Today the problem is still not fixed. I need to use a VPN for it to work.
Air Italy seem to be happy missing out on almost 6 million potential customers, with no urgency getting this resolved?
Very poor form.
For those that cannot access https://www.airitaly.com/ directly, you can make/manage bookings via their call centre. The number to call is:
Italian 24-hr number: +39 0789 52682
US number: +1 (866) 387 6359
Thailand (agency): +662 163 4315
Alternatively, you can use a travel agency, or a VPN/proxy.
Singapore, Indonesia and Hong Kong are confirmed countries that cannot access the site, and there could be others.
The problem has been reported in early June 2019. There is currently no ETA on a fix.
------------------------------------------------------
Back in early June I tried to access the website from within Singapore but it appeared blocked. I sent a FB message and a consultant replied saying they have escalated the problem.
Today the problem is still not fixed. I need to use a VPN for it to work.
Air Italy seem to be happy missing out on almost 6 million potential customers, with no urgency getting this resolved?
Very poor form.
Last edited by davidj1; Jul 21, 2019 at 6:00 am Reason: Including an alternative solution until a fix is released
Jul 14, 2019, 12:40 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,048
Of course it's a bit strange, but who's to say that the issue is due to the airline? Lots of websites are blocked in Singapore.
Jul 14, 2019, 1:48 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,741
And to add to the previous poster's points, there is nothing stopping these 6 million "potential customers" from buying their tickets from a travel agent or third party website. Air Italy tickets are NOT exclusively sold on the airline's website, and therefore the inaccessibility of the website is no impediment to the purchase of a ticket.
Jul 14, 2019, 4:43 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: MM, Krisflyer, QFF, VFF
Posts: 441
It's a good thing you guys don't run airlines (or perhaps you are, Air Italy?)
The general idea of running a (profitable) business is to open up your doors to as many customers as possible, and make it as easy as possible. Based on some of the comments here it's seems okay business logic to prevent half the globe from accessing their site, and open up to Americans and Europeans only?
No need for a TA either, people can pick up a phone.
Point is, when will this be fixed?
The general idea of running a (profitable) business is to open up your doors to as many customers as possible, and make it as easy as possible. Based on some of the comments here it's seems okay business logic to prevent half the globe from accessing their site, and open up to Americans and Europeans only?
No need for a TA either, people can pick up a phone.
Point is, when will this be fixed?
Jul 14, 2019, 4:51 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,539
It's a good thing you guys don't run airlines (or perhaps you are, Air Italy?)
The general idea of running a (profitable) business is to open up your doors to as many customers as possible, and make it as easy as possible. Based on some of the comments here it's seems okay business logic to prevent half the globe from accessing their site, and open up to Americans and Europeans only?
No need for a TA either, people can pick up a phone.
Point is, when will this be fixed?
The general idea of running a (profitable) business is to open up your doors to as many customers as possible, and make it as easy as possible. Based on some of the comments here it's seems okay business logic to prevent half the globe from accessing their site, and open up to Americans and Europeans only?
No need for a TA either, people can pick up a phone.
Point is, when will this be fixed?
Asia has a fair amount of fraud involved in credit card transactions. As someone who lives in Indonesia for part of the year, I can understand your frustration. Instead of banging my head into the wall, I just use my vpn for those sites that are blocked.
Like Costco.com, reddit, etc. Some sites also just block orders, but not the access to the site, Walmart.com, Jet.com, and I’m sure lots more.
Jul 18, 2019, 10:49 am
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,186
Jul 18, 2019, 12:10 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,200
It may actually be the SIN Government blocking the Air Italy website and not the other way around. Though it would be strange to block an airline that does not fly to that country.
If a government imposes such a ban there is not a lot anyone can do about it.
If a government imposes such a ban there is not a lot anyone can do about it.
Jul 18, 2019, 12:54 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,048
I don't rant and rage because I can't access the Tesco Clubcard website from outside the UK. I just assume that there's a good reason and move on... using a VPN when needed.
Jul 18, 2019, 2:08 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,200
VPN is what the OP uses yet still complains!
There are lots of websites that are country specific. I can't access the National Lottery site when I'm out of the UK for example. Annoying when you get a 'you've won something email' and have to wait to find out it's £3 not £3million and not just because I forget to enter!
There are lots of websites that are country specific. I can't access the National Lottery site when I'm out of the UK for example. Annoying when you get a 'you've won something email' and have to wait to find out it's £3 not £3million and not just because I forget to enter!
Jul 19, 2019, 5:22 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: MM, Krisflyer, QFF, VFF
Posts: 441
adjective
- 1.
having or showing the capacity to develop into something in the future.
Wow some of you guys have no idea [moderator edit]. Everyone is a potential customer and there is no way in hell I would want to be blocking anyone just because I think they may not be interested in buying.
And no I wouldn't want 1 customer to use a VPN to access goods or services... It is ludicrous to suggest this. [Moderator edit.]
For the record I understand this is not a SG imposed block but is on the Air Italy side (but yes the source could be wrong). Either way it's in Air Italy's interest to sort out pronto.
Last edited by Ocn Vw 1K; Jul 19, 2019 at 6:51 pm Reason: Per FT Rule 12, barring personal attacks on members.
Jul 19, 2019, 5:41 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: MM, Krisflyer, QFF, VFF
Posts: 441
Jul 19, 2019, 5:45 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,539
As I recall, even Southwest Airlines is blocked from Indonesia. A much larger airline than Air Italy.
Jul 19, 2019, 7:55 pm
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,186
I highly doubt that.
Just like Air Greenland wouldn’t care if 6 million “potential customers” in Lebanon weren’t able to book flights between Paamiut and Narsarsuaq, Air Italy leadership isn’t losing any sleep over people in Singapore not being able to book Air Italy flights between Olbia and Bologna on their webpage.
Using the dictionary definition you quoted, one could claim that there are more than 110 million “potential” Aerocardal customers living in Ethiopia.
Of course nobody would think it’s realistic to think that millions of Ethiopians would like to book domestic Chilean flights, just like it’s completely unrealistic to think that millions of Singaporeans would be interested in booking flights on an airline that doesn’t even fly to Singapore. Do you think there are millions of Singaporeans who are “potentially” interested in buying a separate ticket to the Maldives, Air Italy’s closest destination, just so that they can then fly to Italy on Air Italy?
Some airline-specific FT forums have a “least substantive thing to complain about” thread. Perhaps we need one for the “Other European Airlines” forum as well?
Just like Air Greenland wouldn’t care if 6 million “potential customers” in Lebanon weren’t able to book flights between Paamiut and Narsarsuaq, Air Italy leadership isn’t losing any sleep over people in Singapore not being able to book Air Italy flights between Olbia and Bologna on their webpage.
Using the dictionary definition you quoted, one could claim that there are more than 110 million “potential” Aerocardal customers living in Ethiopia.
Of course nobody would think it’s realistic to think that millions of Ethiopians would like to book domestic Chilean flights, just like it’s completely unrealistic to think that millions of Singaporeans would be interested in booking flights on an airline that doesn’t even fly to Singapore. Do you think there are millions of Singaporeans who are “potentially” interested in buying a separate ticket to the Maldives, Air Italy’s closest destination, just so that they can then fly to Italy on Air Italy?
Some airline-specific FT forums have a “least substantive thing to complain about” thread. Perhaps we need one for the “Other European Airlines” forum as well?
Last edited by GFrye; Jul 20, 2019 at 4:03 am
Jul 20, 2019, 2:57 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,741
Pronto? What's the rush? Air Italy isn't starting service from SIN any time soon.
In the meantime, Air Italy's loyal 6 million Singaporean customers can continue to book via Expedia or any other Singaporean travel agent.
In the meantime, Air Italy's loyal 6 million Singaporean customers can continue to book via Expedia or any other Singaporean travel agent.