Qatar Airways has strengthened its commitment to Italy with the acquisition of a 49 per cent of AQA Holding, the new parent company of Meridiana fly (Meridiana).

Qatar Airways currently flies from Doha to Rome, Venice, Pisa and Milan a total of 42 times per week and this partnership will further strengthen the airline’s ties to Italy, while promoting job creation within the country, and from where it connects passengers to more than 150 destinations around the world.

Qatar Airways chief executive, Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are delighted to formalise this important partnership, which will help increase Meridiana’s competitiveness in the European market.

“We look forward to working together to reinforce its position to provide even more connectivity to Italy and other European destinations, as well as those in the US and beyond.”

Under the terms of the agreement, majority shareholder Alisarda maintains the right to appoint the majority of the board members.

Following the closing, the shareholders’ meetings of AQA Holding and Meridiana appointed today the new Board of directors.

Alisarda’s chairman, Marco Rigotti, has been appointed chairman of AQA Holding while Francesco Violante is the new chairman of Meridiana.

Rigotti will retain the executive powers as deputy chairman.

“I’m really grateful to minister Delrio for his determined and tireless support, encouragement and strong
belief in the project,” said Rigotti.

“We are thrilled to begin this partnership project with the world’s best airline.

“We are now working on an ambitious business plan, with the aim to offer to the passengers’ new destinations and the highest level of satisfaction.”