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Air Italy

Italy · AIR ITALY

Routes

Hubs

AEY

ICAO

IATA

TravelerPulse profile

Italian carrier connecting Europe and the world.

Founded

1963

Headquarters

Olbia, Italy

Air Italy was an Italian airline that operated scheduled and charter flights from its primary hub at Milan Malpensa Airport. Originally founded as Meridiana in 1963, the airline was rebranded as Air Italy in 2018 following a significant investment by Qatar Airways, which acquired a 49% stake in the carrier. The airline expanded its long-haul network under the Air Italy brand, adding routes to North America, Asia, and other destinations. It positioned itself as a premium competitor in the Italian market, challenging Alitalia with a modern fleet and broader route network. Air Italy entered liquidation in February 2020, ceasing all operations abruptly and leaving thousands of passengers stranded. The decision to wind down the airline was attributed to financial difficulties and an inability to secure a viable path forward for the business.

Hubs & network

Air Italy operated primarily from Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), with a secondary base at Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB).

Fleet

Air Italy operated a fleet that included Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft and Boeing 787 Dreamliners for long-haul routes.

Notable facts

›Originally founded as Meridiana in 1963 before rebranding as Air Italy in 2018.
›Qatar Airways held a 49% stake in Air Italy.
›The airline ceased all operations in February 2020 after entering liquidation.
›Air Italy had ambitious plans to expand long-haul routes to North America and Asia.
›The airline's closure left approximately 1,450 employees without jobs.

Official website Wikipedia

This profile is provided for general information only. Contact details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airline's official website before acting on them.