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Alitalia to Return to China With Service to Beijing

Photo provided by Anna Zvereva from Tallinn, Estonia (Alitalia, EI-EJI, Airbus A330-202) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Italy’s flag carrier, Alitalia, announced it will resume service to China in July 2016.

Alitalia will begin a nonstop flight between Rome-Fiumicino International Airport (FCO) and Beijing-Capital International Airport (PEK) on July 18, 2016. This will be Alitalia’s third new international route for 2016, following Santiago, Chile and Mexico City, Mexico.

The airline’s last service to China was nearly three-and-a-half years ago. Operating three-times weekly, this new route will strengthen Alitalia’s presence in Asia. “We are committed to strengthen our presence in the Far East. The new route to Beijing represents a crucial investment for Alitalia as we continue to expand our network,” said CEO of Alitalia, Cramer Ball.  In addition to Tokyo-Narita and Seoul-Incheon, Beijing will be Alitalia’s third Asian destination.

The flight will depart from Rome will be on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 2:20pm and arrive in Beijing at 6:20am the next day. On the return leg, the flight will leave Beijing every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 9:15am and arrive in Rome at 2:25pm, the same day. All times are local. The flight schedule is timed perfectly to allow customers to connect to other Alitalia destinations throughout Europe and in Africa. In addition, customers will be able to connect on Skyteam alliance partners China Eastern and China Southern to other destinations in Asia.

Alitalia will operate its three-class configured Airbus A330 aircraft on the new flight, which seats a total of 250 passengers.

The Italian Ambassador to China, Ettore Sequi, said “We accompanied and supported negotiations for this flight during all stages. The important and desired opening of the new Alitalia’s Rome-Beijing service is the result of great Italian teamwork.”

Tickets are on-sale. Alitalia is offering its MilleMiglia members an addition 5,000 miles if they travel on the new route before September 18th, 2016.

Tyler Tashji
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  • Tyler Tashji

    Tyler has been an aviation enthusiast for as long as he can remember and is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Administration with a minor in Social Media Marketing from Lewis University in Romeoville, IL. His preferred airline is United and his favorite aircraft is the Boeing 777 and 757. Tyler has his fourth-degree black belt in Taekwondo and is unlikely to be seen without Starbucks in his hand. He is also an avid plane spotter. Tyler always has a smile on his face and his eyes pointed skyward.

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