Start-up airline launches new flights from UK airport to Italy
AN ITALIAN airline is launching flights from a regional UK airport to a popular holiday hotspot.
Aeroitalia has confirmed that the new route will operate from London Southend Airport in Essex.
According to Aviation Week, Aeroitalia is set to launch flights from London Southend Airport to Milan Bergamo later this year.
Six weekly flights will depart from Milan Bergamo at 9am, arriving in London Southend at 9.45am.
The flights will then return to Milan at 10.45am, before arriving back in Milan at 1.30pm.
Flights between the two cities will depart from March 25, 2024, with fares starting from €79.99 (£68.95) for a one-way ticket.
The new route will be served by a Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
Potential passengers can reach the regional airport on a direct train from London Liverpool Street, which takes just 52 minutes.
Holidaymakers touching down in Milan Bergamo can reach Milan city centre on a bus, which takes around one hour and costs €10 (£8.61).
There are plenty of reasons to visit Milan, including its famous cathedral, called the Duomo, and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II – the city’s well-known shopping arcade.
London Southend Airport boss, John Upton, said: “This partnership marks a significant milestone for London Southend Airport, providing our passengers in the east of London and Southeast England with a convenient gateway to the heart of Italian football, fashion and culture in Milan.”
Aeroitalia CEO, Gaetano Intrieri, added: “This initiative is the result of hard work, dedication and commitment from the entire Aeroitalia team.
“We are determined to continue to improve and expand our operations to always offer you high-quality services.
“We are confident that this new route will become a bridge between cultures, connecting our beautiful Italian cities with the vibrant energy of London.”
The Italian-owned start-up first took to the skies in 2022, and it largely operates domestic flights within Italy.
Aeroitalia isn’t the only airline opening new routes from the UK to holiday destinations across the globe.
British Airways will be resuming flights from London Stansted for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The flag carrier has confirmed that three new routes will depart from the London airport, with prices starting at £36 for a one-way ticket.
Budget airline Ryanair is launching flights to Spain, Portugal, and Malta, from Norwich Airport.
As it stands, the airport only serves a handful of foreign destinations, which means the Ryanair expansion is great news for holidaymakers in East Anglia.
The flights will run on both Mondays and Fridays, according to the aviation website Simple Flying.
Ryanair is also launching flights from Cornwall Airport and Cardiff Airport, with new routes to Paris and Faro among some of those announced.