ITALY (eTN) – A gimmick which is part of the renewal strategy in terms of product implemented by Alitalia, is to have a tablet for each passenger. This is a new way, explained the CEO of Alitalia, Andrea Ragnetti, in an interview, to increase revenues through the additional services. According to Ragnetti, the debut of the new tool should be starting in the spring of 2013, and the new entry will be effective even on domestic connections “because while flying with us, every traveler can organize the day ahead after landing.”
On a more general strategy stream to grow revenues, Alitalia has 10 points in the plan, which are focused on several fronts.
The CEO of the airline seems to have closed the doors and the hypothesis of a broader alliance with Air France-KLM, while opening a possibility to enter into a “larger complex in which the members may be French, but it may be of other nationalities,” stated Ragnetti.
In the course of the interview, Ragnetti touched also on the issues related to Linate-Fiumicino, or the competition with high-speed railways. In the first case, the CEO expects a decline in revenue of 3 percent with the entry of EasyJet, while in the second case, he hopes for an agreement with Trenitalia, (State Railways) in the future.
Ragnetti explained that “the way of the future for carriers is that of alliances and partnership. Partnership that become basic, for example, for the long-haul sector among the most profitable for the carriers and fundamental for the return into profit.
Among the strategies to “profit,” Gianni Pieraccioni, the new Chief Commercial manager of Alitalia is determined to add to the airline’s services a charter activity and become an industry leader in Italy, with a broader framework of an airline strongly determined to fulfil its commitments with the market back in balance by the end of 2014. After a trial season, Alitalia is now accelerating and launching a direct challenge to competitors in the charter segment.
The project that begun just a year ago will continue this winter season taking advantage of the available two Airbus 330 that Alitalia will take to make the rotation, along with a Boeing 777 for long-haul operations, in agreement with cruise operators and passengers. “If we do our job well, we have the potential to reach the goal of becoming the leading charter,” remarked Pieraccioni.
An additional selling tool is to serve the best of Italian cuisine on board in Magnifica Class. From November 2012 until January 31, 2013, Alitalia will offer passengers traveling in Magnifica Class (business class for long-haul flights), the “best of exclusive recipes of the Italian regions.” The scents and flavors of the culinary excellence of Italian cuisine will be full of certified products by the DOP and IGP.
The company, having offered over the past two years the menus of each of the 20 Italian regions for the next three months, will propose on board its international flights to and from Italy, the regional dishes that have been enjoyed with the most success by their customers. The Magnifica class menu is presented on a quarterly rotation and designed in collaboration with the chefs of ALMA, the International School of Italian Cuisine led by Gualtiero Marchesi.
Alitalia’s commitment to the promotion of Italian food in the world has been for two years in a row (2010 and 2011) – a recognition by the American monthly magazine, Global Traveler, as the best airline in the world for the quality of food served on board.
All materials of Magnifica class are manufactured by large companies Made in Italy: the cutlery, glasses signed by Richard Ginori, porcelain, blankets, pillows, and Frette table linens, the cosmetic bag with cosmetics and products selected exclusively for the company signed by Bulgari. Magnifica!
