Jet Airways has announced that it will commence daily non-stop flights from Milano Malpensa to New Delhi from 5 December 2010 in code share with Alitalia, making Milan the 24th international destination on Jet Airways’ network.

Naresh Goyal, Chairman, Jet Airways, said: “We consider Milan a strategic destination, being the business and commercial center of Italy. India, an emerging market with a booming economy is a youthful and vibrant market that holds great potential. Jet Airways and I take pride in bringing a taste of Modern India to Italy. Based on our experience in Europe, with a direct flight we expect the market to grow by 30%. In the very first month we already have 89% occupancy on the new flight from Milan. We are therefore very optimistic about this flight. Our product and our service in the air and on ground are something very special, warm and distinctive and we’re sure that the Italian market will appreciate this”.

Rocco Sabelli, Managing Director of Alitalia, said: “We are really pleased to work with Jet Airways. This agreement represents a very important development for Alitalia. Connecting Italy with the main worldwide destinations, reinforcing our leadership position in the Italian market and our offer of intercontinental flights from Milan is a further step in our strategy. Alitalia is the first SkyTeam airline to have signed an agreement with Jet Airways”.

“I am particularly pleased with the new daily direct flight to Milano Malpensa – New Delhi operated by the largest Indian airline. This link will help to strengthen the relationships between our market, where only the North West recorded 50% of exports to India, and one of the major world powers with strong economic growth” – said Giuseppe Bonomi, Chairman, SEA Milan Airports – “Malpensa confirms its leadership in the relationship with East Asia thanks also to this new flight activated in a short time thanks our trade policy that has brought positive results: today Malpensa connects 168 destinations, reaching 86 cities outside Europe and 110 airlines”.

Jet Airways’ new flight, the only one to offer a daily direct link between Italy and India will connect Milan, the fashion and design capital of the world, to historic New Delhi, the capital of India.

The airline will be using its modern Airbus 330-200 aircraft configured in two classes, with 30 seats in Première (Business Class seats that can be converted to 180° lie-flat beds) and 190 seats in Economy (ergonomically designed seats for more space and comfort).

Jet Airways’ and Alitalia’s guests will be able to experience the new state-of-the-art Terminal 3 of New Delhi Airport and reach over 42 destinations on Jet Airways network in India. New Delhi, thanks to its strategic geographical location between Italy and Asia, is   an ideal gateway for guests from Italy to travel beyond India to other Jet Airways destinations such as Colombo, Bangkok, Kathmandu, and Dhaka. The airline will thus offer its guests a seamless travel experience when transiting at New Delhi Airport.