Lufthansa launches Italia brand

Lufthansa is launching its new “Lufthansa Italia” brand in Italy. The new airline blends “traditional Lufthansa values, notably reliability and high quality, with Italian flair.” With an initial fleet of six aircraft, Lufthansa will be offering the best of connections from northern Italy to major European destinations from February 2009. Lufthansa is to found its own Italian airline under the new brand early next year and apply for an Italian Air Operator Certificate (AOC).

“Lufthansa Italia will position us in an important market characterised by strong demand, which also holds out opportunities for buoyant growth in the future. We will be offering our Italian customers an extensive route network from northern Italy to attractive destinations in Europe,” said Lufthansa CEO and Chairman Wolfgang Mayrhuber. “Milan and Lombardy rank among Europe’s economically most important and strongest regions. A good route network connecting them with Europe’s principal cities is essential. Lufthansa Italia is making this a reality and at the same time is demonstrating a clear commitment to the region.”

Flights to the first two destinations, Barcelona und Paris (Charles de Gaulle), will be operated from 2 February 2009. Flights to Brussels, Budapest, Bucharest and Madrid will be added to the timetable four weeks later. London (Heathrow) and Lisbon will be brought into the network with the start of the 2009 summer flight schedules at the end of March. The new services will provide Lufthansa customers with fast, non-stop connections. Flight bookings through the usual distribution channels with the new Lufthansa Italia airline began in mid-October.

An Airbus A319, seating 138 passengers in Business and Economy Class, will be operating the flights under the Lufthansa Italia brand. The discreet cabin design betrays its Italian origins. The passengers will be served by Italian flight attendants with Italian delicacies adding a note of originality to the in-flight menu.

In cooperation with the Milan Airport operator SEA, the infrastructure at Malpensa Airport will be successively upgraded to provide Lufthansa passengers with more service and comfort at the airport. Awaiting them from spring 2009 is an enhanced lounge product and fast-track passage through security.
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