Akbar Al Baker (centre), Group Chief Executive of Qatar Airways, and other officials at a press conference.
DOHA: Air Italy yesterday unveiled its long awaited first Boeing 737 Max in striking new livery at the Boeing Everett Delivery Centre in Seattle, in front of a crowd of VIP dignitaries and guests, including His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, alongside international media.
The aircraft, the first of approximately 50 new aircraft to be added to the Air Italy fleet by 2022, is the first of 20 new Boeing 737 Max aircraft that will join the airline over the next three years.
Qatar Airways previously strengthened its commitment to Air Italy in 2017 with the acquisition of 49 percent of AQA Holding, the new parent company of Air Italy, while the previous sole shareholder Alisarda kept 51 percent.
During a press conference held prior to the delivery ceremony, Akbar Al Baker, Group Chief Executive of Qatar Airways; Marco Rigotti, Chairman of Alisarda and AQA Holding; Sultan Allana of Alisarda and AKFED, and Francesco Violante, Chairman of Air Italy, spoke of Air Italy’s future focus on the passenger experience as it strives to become Italy’s first carrier of choice.
Akbar Al Baker, said “I am delighted to be at the Boeing Everett Delivery Centre today in Seattle to mark yet another landmark event, the delivery of Air Italy’s first new Boeing 737 Max aircraft in striking new livery, first presented in Milan in February this year.
“To see the aircraft here for the first time, it truly brings to life the next exciting chapter for Italy’s future carrier of choice, providing the people of Italy with the sophisticated travel experience that they deserve”.
Chairman of Alisarda, Marco Rigotti, said: “This first Boeing B737 Max will offer our customers a journey in true Italian style.
“While seated in this comfortable and stylish aircraft, flying from Milan onwards to our domestic network of popular destinations such as Taormina in Sicily, the Emerald Coast in Sardinia, Rome, Sorrento and Capri or the pristine landscape in Calabria, we want our passengers to sense the beauty of Italy and warm welcome they will receive upon landing”.
Chairman of Air Italy, Francesco Violante, commented: “I would like to extend my thanks to Boeing and all of those involved in this, the production of our very first Boeing 737 Max in the Air Italy livery.
“Since we first announced the striking new design at a press conference in Milan in February this year, there has been much anticipation for this moment. We look forward to taking to the skies and bringing this aircraft to Italy for the first time”.
