Government | Friday 1 May, 2015 10:07 pm |

Alitalia and Etihad Airways celebrated the opening of their joint pavilion at Expo Milano 2015 today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, hosted by Silvano Cassano, Chief Executive Officer of Alitalia, and James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways and Vice Chairman of Alitalia.

The airlines are Official Global Carriers of Expo Milano 2015, which takes place under the theme of ‘Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life’ from today until 31 October. A total of 20 million visitors are expected to attend from across the world over the six-month period, with Alitalia and Etihad Airways’ pavilion serving as a highlight of the Expo experience.

Silvano Cassano, Chief Executive Officer of Alitalia, said: “As Official Global Carriers of Expo Milano 2015, Alitalia and Etihad Airways have been focused on increasing awareness of the event and encouraging large-scale participation from across the world. Public interest in the Expo has been constantly growing and as a result, we have experienced significant demand on domestic flights within Italy, as well as key markets in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The opening of our pavilion today marks another important step in our support of Expo Milano 2015 and we are delighted to showcase the many exciting features that we will offer to attendees.”

James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways and Vice Chairman of Alitalia, said: “The combined networks of Etihad Airways and Alitalia offer unmatched travel connections into Italy, making us the smartest option to bring the world to Expo Milano 2015, so that the mission of this important event is successfully achieved. In addition, as Official Global Carriers, we are able to actively promote the event worldwide and provide visitors with a pavilion experience that is memorable, entertaining and educational, in line with the Expo theme.”

Alitalia and Etihad Airways’ two-storey pavilion has a prime location next to Palazzo Italia and measures 1,150 square metres. The ground floor is open to all visitors and includes a Social Hub, which provides a multimedia experience around the theme of ‘Connecting the World Journey’, using cutting-edge technology and large interactive screens.

Another highlight of the ground floor is the Imagination Lounge, where several daily cooking demonstrations will be conducted by celebrity chefs, including Italy’s Gabriele Rubini, famously known as Chef Rubio, and the UAE’s Chef Khulood Atiq. Both are successful chefs, best-selling authors and television stars, with a loyal following in their home countries and abroad. Chef Khulood is also an Emirati culinary consultant for Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi).

In addition, two fully operational flight simulators will allow visitors with a passion for commercial aviation, aircraft and travel to test their pilot skills, while children will be entertained in the Kids Area, which is packed with interactive games, an augmented reality experience, and a 360° Collective Map with Oculus Rift technology, allowing youngsters to discover the world as they have never seen it before.

The first floor includes an exclusive lounge, where top Alitalia and Etihad Airways clients and selected guests can relax in a luxurious and comfortable environment, and experience the airlines’ award-winning products first hand. Professional chefs will prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets in the dining area, and a meeting room will also be available for private business meetings.

As Official Global Carriers of Expo Milano 2015, Alitalia and Etihad Airways will also play a key role in bringing visitors to the event, with an estimated eight million attendees travelling to the event by air. The airlines offer the best network to accommodate these visitors and, together with their partners, connect with over 850 destinations worldwide, surpassing those offered by any other competitor.

Since October 2014, Alitalia and Etihad Airways have each been operating an Airbus A330-200 aircraft with a unique Expo Milano 2015 livery, carrying the event’s ‘Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life’ message to leading business and leisure markets worldwide.

For further information on flights and packages for Expo Milano 2015, please visit alitalia.com or etihad.com, contact the airline’s call centres, or book via travel agencies.

PHOTO CAPTION 1 (L-R): HE Saqr Nasser Al Raisi, UAE Ambassador to Italy; HE Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Transport and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority; James Hogan, Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer, and Alitalia Vice Chairman; Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Chairman of Masdar; Silvano Cassano, Alitalia Chief Executive Officer; with cabin crew from each airline and Emirati employees from Etihad Airways.

PHOTO CAPTION 2 (L-R): HE Saqr Nasser Al Raisi, UAE Ambassador to Italy; HE Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Transport and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority; James Hogan, Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer and Alitalia Vice Chairman; Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Chairman of Masdar.

PHOTO CAPTION 3 (L-R): His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, and Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline & Group; James Hogan, Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer.


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Media Contacts

Etihad Airways Alitalia
Robeel Haq Corporate Affairs
+971 2 511 1429 +39 06 65638950
rhaq@etihad.ae ufficio.stampa@alitalia.it


About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and in 2014 carried 14.8 million passengers. From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to 111 existing or announced passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of 116 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and more than 200 aircraft on firm order, including 69 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777-X, 62 Airbus A350s and eight Airbus A380s. Etihad Airways holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Aer Lingus, Alitalia, Jet Airways and Virgin Australia, and is in the process of formalising an equity investment in Swiss-based Etihad Regional, operated by Darwin Airline. Etihad Airways, along with airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Etihad Regional, Jet Airways and NIKI, also participate in Etihad Airways Partners, a new brand that brings together like-minded airlines to offer customers more choice through improved networks and schedules and enhanced frequent flyer benefits. For more information, please visit: www.etihad.com

About Alitalia
Alitalia - Società Aerea Italiana (alitalia.com) is Italy’s largest airline and commenced operations on January 1, 2015 after acquiring the operational activities of Alitalia - Compagnia Aerea Italiana, now named CAI. CAI has a 51% controlling stake in Alitalia and the remaining 49% of shares are owned by Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates. As part of its 2015 summer schedule, Alitalia flies to 102 destinations, including 27 Italian and 75 international destinations, with a total of 164 routes and about 4,500 weekly flights. Alitalia boasts one of the most modern and efficient fleets in the world with an average age of eight years. It is a member of the SkyTeam alliance and is part of the Transatlantic Joint Venture alongside Air France-KLM and Delta Air Lines. Alitalia, together with airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Etihad Airways, Etihad Regional operated by Darwin Airline, Jet Airways and NIKI, also participates in Etihad Airways Partners, which brings together like-minded airlines to offer customers more choice through improved networks and schedules and enhanced frequent flyer benefits. Alitalia and Etihad Airways have been named Official Global Airline Carriers of Expo Milano 2015.