Italy's historic national carrier, now reborn as ITA Airways.
Founded
1946
Headquarters
Rome, Italy
Alliance
SkyTeam
Alitalia was the flag carrier of Italy, operating for over seven decades as one of Europe's most recognized airlines. Founded in 1946, it served destinations across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia, acting as a symbol of Italian identity and culture in international aviation.
Despite its storied history, Alitalia struggled persistently with financial losses, labor disputes, and management challenges. The airline entered extraordinary administration multiple times and received significant government bailouts in failed attempts to return it to profitability.
Alitalia ceased operations on October 14, 2021, when its assets and operations were transferred to a new state-backed carrier, ITA Airways (Italia Trasporto Aereo). ITA Airways took over many of Alitalia's routes, some staff, and selected assets, effectively replacing it as Italy's national airline.
Hubs & network
Alitalia's primary hub was Rome Fiumicino Airport (Leonardo da Vinci), with a secondary hub at Milan Linate Airport.
Fleet
Alitalia operated a mixed fleet including Airbus A320 family aircraft, Airbus A330, Boeing 777, and Embraer regional jets at various points in its history.
Notable facts
- ›Alitalia was founded on September 16, 1946, and began commercial operations in 1947.
- ›The airline filed for bankruptcy and entered extraordinary administration in 2008 and again in 2017.
- ›Alitalia officially ceased all operations on October 14, 2021, after 74 years of service.
- ›Its successor, ITA Airways, launched operations on the same day Alitalia shut down.
- ›Alitalia was a member of the SkyTeam airline alliance from 2009 until its closure.
This profile is provided for general information only. Contact details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airline's official website before acting on them.
