Alitalia is to launch a new non-stop service between Rome and Mexico City from June 16.
The three times-weekly service will depart Rome Fiumicino airport at 1025 on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, landing in Mexico City at 1645. The return leg will leave Mexico at 2330, landing back into the Italian capital at 1835 the following day.
The route will be served with Boeing B777 aircraft, featuring 293 seats across economy, premium economy and business class, with “fully refurbished” cabin interiors, and connectivity for mobile phone calls, internet and emails.
Members of Alitalia’s MilleMiglia frequent flyer scheme will receive a bonus of “up to 5,000 miles” when purchasing flights on the new route for travel up to August 16.
Announcing the new service Alitalia’s chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo said that the carrier was aiming to become “the leading air carrier on routes to Latin America”.
Alitalia already operates flights to Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires, and will launch a new service to Santiago in May.
The carrier is also celebrating an improved punctuality record. In January 90.7 per cent of its 16,000 operated flights departed on time. It is the third consecutive month that the figures have improved. Giancarlo Schisano, Chief Operations Officer at Alitalia, said: ''In the aviation sector this represents an excellent result, especially for our operations at busy international airports. We will continue with our commitment to improve the travel experience for our customers because we want to reach this achievement again in the months ahead''.
The improvements are as a result of Alitalia recently introducing at its hub base in Rome Fiumicino airport new shuttle buses, new baggage belts and two sets of stairs to quicken the disembarkation from the aircraft and reach the terminal faster. More ground staff have also been deployed at departure gates to accelerate the flights boarding process and a new Transit Team has been launched to help air travellers switch efficiently from one aircraft to another.
Mark Caswell
