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Dec.12 - Dec.19, 2004 |
No More Flights for Rome
Alitalia's cancellation of direct route from Toronto is causing controversy in community
By Francesco Riondino
Originally Published: 2003-11-16
It had been a great victory for the Italian-Canadian community: thanks to the hard work of then-Ambassador Francesco Paolo Fulci, Alitalia had been convinced to open a direct Toronto-Rome service (at the time there was also a link with Montreal). Then came the code-sharing agreement between Alitalia and Canadian, and flights to and from Italy increased, not only Rome, but Milan as well. Finally Air Canada bought Canadian, wreaking havoc in Canada's transports and risking bankruptcy (it's not too late for that).
These last weeks have left everyone astonished, customers, travel agents, even Alitalia itself. Since October 26, Air Canada has cancelled Italy from its destination, and for the first time since that historic victory, Rome has no direct connection to Canada!
One of the world's top 10 tourist destinations, capital of a nation with important ties to Canada, allied in NATO and fellow member of the G8, has simply been wiped out from Air Canada timetables, which at best offer a connection via Frankfurt with Lufthansa.
"We were not forewarned, and this decision by Air Canada took us by surprise," remarked Salvatore Marra, Alitalia Sales Manager in Canada. "At the last minute we could only increase our flights on Milan from five to six per week. However, if Air Canada does not restore its flights in the spring, Alitalia will not leave Rome unattended."
The mystery concerns Air Canada's intentions: why did they cancel a flight that's usually sold out, and always profitable? A possible answer comes from Rome, where the Canadian airline had no fewer than 30 employees promptly fired. Should Air Canada restore its flights to Rome, the whole thing might turn out having been a way for Canadian managers to dodge Italian labour protection laws.
Travel agents have been showered with complaints. "Our customers are booking for their Christmas vacations, and this news leaves them speechless," told us Maurizio Magnifico of St. Clair Travel.
Airline Shares the Blame
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