News

News

11/03/2004

Alitalia takes delivery of first Embraer 170

Yesterday afternoon in a hangar at São José, Alitalia took delivery of its first Embraer 170, the latest generation aircraft produced by the Brazilian manufacturer. The main characteristics of the Embraer 170 are extreme flexibility, state-of-the-art technology, low fuel consumption and a high level of comfort, making it ideal as the new flag aircraft for Alitalia Express. "The Embraer 170 project began in 1998 thanks in part to our friendly relations with Alitalia, the first airline to support and encourage the initiative," said Frederico Fleury Curado, Executive Vice President Civil Aircraft for Embraer, during the handover ceremony. 

The ceremony also provided the occasion for the Managing Director of Alitalia Express, Massimo Chieli, to express his personal thanks to colleagues in Embraer for the close collaboration which has developed between the two companies. Alitalia Express already has fourteen Embraer 145s in its fleet and, by mid-2004, will have all six of the Embraer 170s which have been ordered. "We are happy to link the name of Alitalia Express to Embraer," said Massimo Chieli. "In the space of a few years, we have taken delivery of no less than twenty Brazilian aircraft, a figure that highlights the period of expansion we’re going through as a regional carrier."Furthermore, Alitalia’s regional company has optioned another six planes. On this note, Massimo Chieli leaves Alitalia Express, now that he has been appointed Director of Human Resources for the Alitalia Group by the new CEO, Marco Zanichelli.

The new aircraft, with 72 seats in two classes (business and economy), has been given the name of "Via Appia". All six ERJ 170s will bear the names of major Roman consular roads (Via Cassia, Via Aurelia, Via Emilia, Via Flaminia and Via Salaria).

The inaugural flight by the first Embraer 170 will be on the Rome-Brindisi route on April 26.

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