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Air One
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Air One S.p.A. was an Italian low-cost airline which operated as Air One "Smart Carrier". It operated as Alitalia's low-cost subsidiary with operating bases located in Catania, Palermo, Pisa, Venice and Verona; while Tirana was a focus city.[2] "Air One" is a portmanteau of the English meaning Air One and the Italian word 'airone', pronounced IPA [ai'rone], meaning heron (the bird depicted in the airline's logo), which was also the airline's callsign.

Key Information

Before the merger with Alitalia, Air One was a competitor, the second largest airline in Italy, with a network to 36 destinations in Italy, Europe and North America. Its main bases were Rome Fiumicino Airport, Linate Airport in Milan and Turin Airport.[3]

Air One ceased operations on 30 October 2014[1] as part of the new concept of its parent company Alitalia based on its new partnership with Etihad Airways. All routes were either cancelled or taken over by Alitalia itself.

History

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First years

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On 27 April 1995 Air One began scheduled flights between Milan (Linate) and Brindisi and Reggio Calabria and Lamezia Terme.

In the year 2000, Air One announced a partnership with Lufthansa and nearly all Air One flights became code-shared with Lufthansa.

As of June 2006, regional destinations were served under the name Air One CityLiner with the brand-new fleet of Bombardier CRJ-900s.[3]

In 2007, Air One carried approximately 5.5 million passengers (scheduled and charter), thus becoming the second largest Italian airline in terms of passenger traffic. 2007 revenues totaled EUR750 million with a net profit of EUR6.8 million.

Merger with Alitalia

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Air One Boeing 737-300 in 2008

In August 2008, it was announced that Air One was to be merged with Alitalia.[4] Air One was almost bankrupt in 2008,[5] and the merger with Alitalia-CAI was the only viable solution to save it.

On 13 January 2009, Air One officially became part of Alitalia, though the two airlines were to be combined into one over time. A detailed integration plan was at that time yet to be announced.

On 28 March 2009, due to the merger with Alitalia, the cooperation between Lufthansa's Miles & More and Air One ended.[6] On 28 June 2009, also due to the Alitalia merger, the partnerships with United Airlines' Mileage Plus program and Air Canada's Aeroplan program ended.[7]

Later in 2009, the Alitalia and Air One booking procedures were unified so that the airlines effectively became the same.

Air One "Smart Carrier" - low-cost subsidiary

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Air One Airbus A320-200

On 28 March 2010, Air One "Smart Carrier" as a separate brand from Alitalia began operating low-cost flights out of Milan Malpensa Airport. Nine domestic and five international destinations were initially served, using five Airbus A320s painted in the Air One livery and formatted to 180 seats.[8]

In its first full quarter of operations, Air One Smart Carrier transported 320,000 passengers, with an on-time performance of 89%.[9]

On 2 February 2011, Air One Smart Carrier announced that, in the summer 2011 season, it would expand its operations at Milan Malpensa and also open a new base at Pisa Airport. The base opened on 1 July 2011.[10] Air One Smart Carrier predicted it would carry 1.6 million passengers in 2011, compared to 0.9 million in 2010, and a new website was also launched.

On 21 December 2011, Air One Smart Carrier announced a new base at Venice Marco Polo Airport, with flights starting in May 2012. On 1 October 2012, operations commenced at Air One Smart Carrier's new base in Catania Fontanarossa Airport, the fourth base. In September 2013 the opening of a fifth base at Palermo Falcone-Borsellino Airport was announced with flights to commence in March 2014. Including a new route to London Gatwick Airport, a destination not served by Air One since the ending of flights from Milan Malpensa Airport.

On 26 October 2013, Air One closed its operating base in Milan Malpensa Airport and announced a new base at Palermo Falcone–Borsellino Airport. The flights from Palermo started in March 2014.

Closure

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On 26 August 2014, it was announced that parent-company Alitalia would shut down Air One by autumn 2014.[1] All remaining routes were terminated by 30 October 2014 with some base operations and routes already closed by 30 September.[1][11] Some routes, especially within Italy, have been taken over by Alitalia itself as well as the former Air One fleet.

Fleet history

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Air One operated the following aircraft types over its lifetime:[citation needed]

Air One historical fleet
Aircraft Total Introduced Retired Notes
ATR 42–300(QC) 1 2006 2008 SP-KEE
leased from White Eagle Aviation[citation needed]
Airbus A320-200 30 2006 2008 CS-TQA, CS-TQB
leased from Air Luxor[citation needed]
Fleet of 10 aircraft in use when operations ceased[citation needed]
Airbus A330-200 2 2008 2009
Boeing 737-200 3 1993 2008
Boeing 737-300 13 1995 2010
Boeing 737-400 27 1997 2010
Boeing 737-800 6 2002 2004
British Aerospace Avro RJ70 2 2006 2009 SE-DJZ, SE-DJX
leased from Transwede Airways[citation needed]
Jetstream 31 Airliner 2 1991 1993 I-ALKC, I-ALKD
on lease[12]
Fokker 50 1 1991 1993 PH-JXK
leased from Denim Air[13]
McDonnell Douglas DC-9-15RC 2 1997 1999 I-TJAN, I-TJAR
on lease[citation needed]
McDonnell Douglas MD-83 1 2006 2008 EC-GBA
leased from Spanair[14]
Saab 2000 1 1999 1999 HB-IZS
leased from Crossair[15]

The Air One fleet progression over the years:

  • In January 2006, the airline signed a contract with Airbus for 30 Airbus A320s and 60 options, to replace the carrier's leased fleet of Boeing 737-400s.[16]
  • In May 2007, the airline announced the conversion of options and purchase rights for 50 Airbus A320s into firm orders, bringing its commitment to the type to 90 aircraft.[17]
  • In June 2008, the airline ordered 24 aircraft from Airbus for 4.8 billion dollars. Air One also had an option to buy another 20 aircraft for 3.8 billion dollars. The order included 12 Airbus A330s and 12 A350s.[18] The order was transferred to Alitalia when Air One ceased operations.[citation needed]

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Air One S.p.A. was an Italian that originated as Aliadriatica in 1983 and was rebranded as Air One in November 1995, operating scheduled passenger flights across , , and until its integration into in 2008 and eventual brand cessation in October 2014. Initially established in as a regional carrier providing air-taxi and scheduled services, Air One expanded rapidly in the late and early , becoming Italy's second-largest by passenger volume and network reach before the merger with . Its fleet at the time included a mix of 737s, A320s, and other , supporting routes to approximately 36 destinations primarily in , , and from key hubs like Fiumicino, Malpensa, and . The 2008 merger with the struggling positioned Air One as the low-cost "Smart Carrier" arm of the new Alitalia-CAI group, focusing on and short-haul markets with a dedicated fleet of nine A320-200s. This restructuring aimed to streamline operations and reduce costs amid financial challenges, but by 2014, as part of broader fleet and route rationalization influenced by a major investment from , the Air One brand was fully phased out, with its services absorbed under . Throughout its history, Air One played a pivotal role in Italy's market as a major competitor challenging Alitalia's dominance, and later by promoting low-cost travel options through its Smart Carrier brand, though it faced typical industry pressures including competition from European budget carriers like and easyJet.

History

Founding and initial operations

Air One originated from Aliadriatica, which was established in 1983 in , , initially operating as a flying school, air-taxi service, and focusing on flights to Mediterranean destinations. The company conducted these operations using small regional suited for short-haul routes. In 1995, Aliadriatica was renamed Air One and relocated its headquarters to , near , marking the beginning of its transition toward scheduled passenger services. The airline faced early financial challenges typical of a small private carrier in a market dominated by state-owned competitors, including limited capital for fleet expansion and reliance on seasonal demand. Air One adopted the IATA AP, ICAO ADH, and HERON to facilitate its operations. On 23 November 1995, Air One launched its scheduled services with inaugural flights from to various Italian destinations, including , , and , targeting underserved domestic routes in . This move represented a strategic shift from -focused activities to regular passenger transport, laying the groundwork for the airline's subsequent growth while maintaining its base in for administrative and operational coordination.

Expansion and partnerships

Following the launch of its initial scheduled services in 1995, Air One significantly expanded its domestic route network within Italy, focusing on connections from its primary base at Milan Linate Airport to southern cities such as Brindisi, Reggio Calabria, and Lamezia Terme. By the mid-2000s, the airline had grown its operations to cover over 25 cities across Italy, operating more than 1,400 flights per week and establishing itself as a key competitor in the domestic market. This expansion included increased flight frequencies on high-demand routes to major hubs like Rome, Naples, and Palermo, contributing to Air One's rising market share in the Italian aviation sector. Internationally, Air One extended its reach to select European and North African destinations through strategic route development and codeshare agreements, enhancing connectivity for passengers traveling beyond Italy's borders. A pivotal aspect of Air One's growth was its strategic partnership with , initiated in May 2000 through a comprehensive that became operational in October of that year. Under this collaboration, nearly all Air One flights were code-shared with , allowing seamless integration of networks and facilitating feeder traffic to Lufthansa's international hubs in and beyond. The partnership also incorporated Air One into Lufthansa's frequent flyer program, enabling passengers to earn and redeem miles across both airlines' services, which boosted customer loyalty and operational synergies. Additionally, Air One developed codeshare arrangements with other carriers, including and , further broadening its international scope without extensive independent long-haul development. To support its expanding network, particularly in regional markets, Air One established a precursor to its full regional operations by launching Air One CityLiner in June as a dedicated . This entity focused on shorter-haul routes using a new fleet of ten Bombardier CRJ-900 , complementing the parent company's mainline services and improving efficiency on less-trafficked domestic segments. By , these efforts had propelled Air One to carry approximately 5.5 million passengers annually across scheduled and charter operations, while achieving revenues of €750 million and a net profit of €6.8 million, underscoring its financial and operational maturity ahead of broader industry challenges.

Merger with Alitalia

In August , amid 's deepening , the Italian government outlined a rescue plan involving the formation of the Compagnia Aerea Italiana (CAI) to acquire the carrier's viable assets and merge them with those of Air One, Italy's second-largest airline, which was also grappling with severe financial pressures from rising fuel costs and economic downturn. This initiative followed 's declaration on August 29, , and aimed to consolidate the domestic market under a single private entity to prevent total collapse. Air One, previously aligned with through codeshare and frequent flyer agreements, saw the merger as a pathway to stability, with preliminary accords reached that month to facilitate the integration. The execution advanced rapidly in late 2008. On December 3, the Italian Antitrust Authority conditionally approved the transaction, imposing remedies to mitigate potential monopolistic effects on domestic routes while recognizing the airlines' precarious positions. Eight days later, on December 11, Air One President Carlo Toto signed a binding agreement to transfer the airline's operations and subsidiaries to CAI, with Toto reinvesting €60 million in the new structure; the deal valued Air One's assets at an undisclosed sum but positioned it as a core component of the relaunched . Regulatory hurdles were cleared without major intervention, as the focus remained on national stabilization, though the approval included safeguards for competition on key Italian routes. The merger concluded on January 13, 2009, when CAI assumed full control, effectively dissolving Air One as an independent entity and rebranding its short- and medium-haul operations under -CAI as the flagship carrier's domestic and regional arm. This integration transferred Air One's primary routes—primarily domestic Italian and select European services—along with portions of its fleet, including 737s, to the unified operation, streamlining network overlap and enhancing connectivity from hubs like Milan Malpensa and Rome . Employee integration was a key aspect, with CAI committing to retain about 12,500 staff from both airlines, though this involved workforce reductions from Alitalia's pre-merger 20,000-plus employees to address overcapacity; the process prioritized seniority and operational needs during the transition. Immediate operational impacts focused on unification and efficiency. Booking systems were consolidated under Alitalia's platform, enabling seamless reservations across the combined route network and reducing administrative redundancies. The merger also terminated Air One's prior alliances incompatible with Alitalia's membership, including the end of codesharing and frequent flyer reciprocity with Lufthansa's program on March 28, 2009, as well as partnerships with ' and by June 28, 2009, shifting focus to benefits like enhanced connectivity with and Delta. These changes bolstered Alitalia's competitive position in but initially strained resources amid the , with the new entity reporting stabilized but still challenging finances in its first year.

Air One Smart Carrier

Air One Smart Carrier was launched on 28 March 2010 as Alitalia's low-cost , operating point-to-point flights from to focus on short-haul domestic and international routes. The brand emphasized a no-frills model with ancillary streams from services like baggage fees and seat selection, while allowing passengers to connect to Alitalia's full-service network for broader travel options. Initial routes included nine domestic Italian destinations such as , , , , , , , and others, alongside short-haul international services like . The carrier achieved strong initial performance, transporting 1,165,000 passengers in its first year of operations ending March 2011, with an average punctuality rate of 87% and operational regularity of 99.8%. By the end of 2010, it had carried over 950,000 passengers, meeting its annual target and demonstrating the viability of Alitalia's dual-brand strategy post-merger. In 2011, the airline expanded with the opening of a base at Pisa Airport on 1 July, enhancing connectivity to central Italy and supporting growth to approximately 1.6 million passengers projected for the year. Further expansion continued in 2012 with the launch of a base at in May, adding capacity for northern Italian leisure and business traffic. This was followed by a base at in October 2012, targeting Sicily's high-demand domestic market, and the opening at in March 2014 to strengthen operations. The Milan Malpensa base, the original hub, was closed on 26 October 2013 as part of network optimization. By mid-2014, Air One Smart Carrier operated from multiple Italian bases, serving a mix of domestic connections and short-haul European routes while maintaining its low-cost ethos within the Group.

Closure and dissolution

On August 29, 2014, announced the phase-out of the Air One brand, effective October 1, as part of a broader effort tied to its €1.758 billion investment partnership with aimed at improving operational efficiency and sustainability. This decision followed the finalization of the deal on August 8, 2014, which sought to streamline 's portfolio by eliminating separate branding for its low-cost subsidiary. Air One's operations concluded with its final flights on September 30, 2014, after which all remaining services were fully integrated into Alitalia's mainline operations by October 30. Most Air One routes, including key domestic links to destinations like , , and , were transferred and rebranded under , while less viable ones were terminated to focus resources on profitable segments. The dissolution involved significant transitions for employees and assets. As part of the associated restructuring, implemented layoffs affecting 994 staff members—primarily ground crew, pilots, and cabin crew—who did not opt into programs, effective October 31, 2014; these cuts were part of a larger plan to reduce 2,000 positions overall. 's fleet of nine A320-200 aircraft was reallocated to 's main operations, supporting the carrier's unified short-haul network. The brand was officially retired, ending its role as 's dedicated low-cost arm established under the 2010 Smart Carrier model. The closure of Air One facilitated Alitalia's consolidation of short-haul services, enhancing cost efficiencies and influencing the Italian low-cost market by shifting competitive dynamics toward integrated full-service models with low-cost elements, a strategy that persisted in Alitalia's post-2014 operations.

Operations and destinations

Hubs and bases

Air One's headquarters was located at (FCO), serving as its central operational and administrative base following its expansion in the late 1990s. Initially, operations were based at Pescara International Airport (PSR), supporting early regional services in . This location facilitated coordination of national and international flights, leveraging Fiumicino's status as Italy's largest for efficient management of the carrier's growing network. The airline developed a network of key hubs and bases primarily within to support its low-cost operations. Following its rebranding and expansion in the late , operations emphasized Milan Linate Airport (LIN) as a major northern hub, enabling connectivity to central and . Palermo Punta Raisi Airport (PMO) functioned as a primary hub, particularly for Sicilian routes, with a secondary role at reinforcing national coverage. Later expansions included (MXP) as a strategic base for northern European links from 2010 onward, alongside Airport (PSA), Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE), Verona Villafranca Airport (VRN), and Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (CTA). Base developments evolved to align with Air One's low-cost model under Alitalia ownership. In 2012, the airline opened its Catania base with two Airbus A320s, marking it as the fourth operational hub to boost southern Italian frequencies to destinations like Turin, Verona, and Venice, while increasing services to existing bases at Malpensa and Pisa. Verona was similarly established as a key northern base around the same period, basing one A320 to enhance regional access. The Milan Malpensa base operated actively until its closure in late 2013, after which resources shifted southward, including a new Palermo base announced for expansion in 2014. By 2014, as part of Alitalia's restructuring, multiple bases including Catania, Palermo, Venice, Malpensa, Verona, and Pisa were shut down sequentially in September and October. These hubs and bases played a pivotal role in Air One's strategy as Alitalia's low-cost arm, promoting regional connectivity across Italy's diverse geography—from northern industrial centers like and to southern gateways like and —while minimizing costs through point-to-point operations and efficient aircraft basing. This approach supported high-frequency domestic services, fostering economic ties and passenger access in underserved areas without relying on extensive long-haul infrastructure.

Route network

Air One's domestic route network emphasized point-to-point connections between northern, central, and , with a focus on low-cost services from its key bases. Major routes included to Milan Malpensa, , and , facilitating travel between and the mainland. Inter-regional links, such as those within and to nearby regions, supported high-demand travel patterns, including services from to . Core domestic routes typically operated daily, with seasonal increases during peak travel periods to accommodate and business demand. The airline's international network was more limited, concentrating on short-haul European destinations to complement its domestic operations. Key routes included multiple connections from Tirana, Albania, to Italian cities such as Venice Marco Polo, Bologna, Pisa, Verona, and Genoa, positioning Tirana as a focus city. Additional services extended to London Gatwick from Catania and Prague from Pisa, providing access to popular tourist and business hubs. These routes operated with frequencies adjusted for demand, often several times weekly, and were supported by bases in Catania, Palermo, Pisa, Venice, and Verona. At its peak in , Air One's network encompassed 35 destinations across 12 countries, prioritizing efficient, low-cost point-to-point flights over hub-and-spoke models. Following the airline's dissolution on October 30, , several routes were absorbed into Alitalia's operations, including to Milan Malpensa and to , ensuring continuity for passengers on high-traffic paths.

Corporate affairs

Ownership and management

Air One originated from Aliadriatica, a regional carrier established in , , in 1983 to provide air-taxi services and before expanding into scheduled operations. In 1988, the company was acquired by Carlo Toto, an Italian entrepreneur from the Toto Group construction family, who reorganized and rebranded it as Air One S.p.A. in November 1995, positioning it as a challenger to Alitalia's domestic monopoly. Toto served as the primary owner and president, steering the airline through partnerships such as a code-share agreement with starting in 2000. Prior to the merger, Air One remained under the control of Italian private investors led by Toto's AP Holding, which held a majority stake and expanded the carrier to capture about 25% of Italy's by the mid-2000s. However, mounting financial pressures, including high costs and , led to severe losses, culminating in near-bankruptcy proceedings in that threatened the airline's viability. During this period, Roberto Colaninno, a prominent Italian businessman and head of the IMMSI group, served as chairman of Air One S.p.A., contributing to strategic decisions amid the crisis. In December 2008, amid 's own collapse, the private investor consortium Compagnia Aerea Italiana (CAI)—chaired by Colaninno and led by CEO Rocco Sabelli—acquired Air One, integrating it as a key component of the relaunched national carrier. Post-merger, effective January 2009, Air One operated as a of the newly formed Alitalia-CAI (later rebranded simply as ), with its ownership fully absorbed under CAI's structure, which included stakeholders like Air France-KLM (minority investor) and Italian banks. Toto reinvested €60 million in the entity but stepped back from operational leadership, while Alitalia's executives, including Sabelli as initial CEO, oversaw management and fleet integration. This shift marked Air One's transition from independent operator to low-cost arm within Alitalia's portfolio. As a private (S.p.A.), Air One's pre-merger featured a board dominated by Toto Group representatives, subject to oversight by Italy's National (ENAC) for safety, licensing, and route approvals under regulations. Following the merger, it fell under CAI's board, comprising executives from banking, industry, and aviation sectors, with ENAC maintaining regulatory supervision to ensure compliance with Italian and European aviation standards until the brand's dissolution in 2014.

Subsidiaries

Air One's main , Air One CityLiner, was established in June 2006 to handle regional operations, commencing flights on June 7 of that year. As a wholly owned affiliate, it focused on providing feeder services to the parent company's mainline network, operating short-haul domestic and international point-to-point routes primarily within . The maintained bases at (FCO) and Milan Linate Airport (LIN), connecting smaller regional airports to major hubs like those of Air One. Following the merger of Air One with on January 13, 2009, Air One CityLiner's operations were integrated into the group, with its aircraft reassigned to support Alitalia's regional services. The continued under the Air One branding until April 20, 2011, when it was fully absorbed and rebranded as , effectively ending its independent status. No other significant subsidiaries or affiliates, such as dedicated maintenance or ground handling entities, were operated by Air One during its history.

Fleet history

Early fleet composition

Air One, operating initially as Aliadriatica, began operations in 1983 as a and service with a fleet of small aircraft, including Cessna C-421 Golden Eagle and Cessna 550 Citation, configured for and flights within . These aircraft were suitable for short-haul domestic operations, emphasizing flexibility for regional connectivity from . By the late 1980s and early 1990s, the fleet expanded to include two 31 turboprops, each seating 19 passengers in an all- layout, supporting entry into limited scheduled and services while focusing on economy configurations without premium cabins. In the mid-1990s, Air One shifted toward jet operations to accommodate growing demand for scheduled short-haul routes, introducing the 737-300 as its first narrowbody jet in 1996. The 737-300, with a typical all-economy configuration of 148 seats in a 3-3 abreast layout, enabled efficient service on intra-Italian and European routes, offering greater range and speed compared to the earlier turboprops. This transition marked the beginning of fleet modernization, with additional 737-300s leased or acquired, bringing the total to around 13 units by the early 2000s; the airline also added 737-400 variants starting in 1999, configured for 168 seats to handle higher-capacity demands on busier corridors. By , Air One's fleet had grown to approximately 20 aircraft, predominantly 737-300 and 737-400 jets, reflecting a decade of expansion driven by increased market share in Italy's low-cost segment. To bolster regional connectivity, the Air One CityLiner introduced six new Bombardier CRJ-900 jets in 2006, each seating 90 passengers in a single-class layout for feeder services to secondary airports. This completed the shift to an all-jet fleet optimized for short- to medium-haul efficiency, with earlier turboprops phased out.

Later fleet and major orders

In January 2006, Air One placed a major order for 30 A320 aircraft valued at $1.8 billion at list prices, intended to replace its leased fleet and support expansion on European routes with deliveries scheduled through 2008. This was followed in May 2007 by the conversion of options into a firm order for an additional 50 A320 family aircraft, further bolstering the airline's narrowbody capacity as part of its strategy to grow international operations to over 35 destinations by 2012. In June 2008, amid preparations for a potential merger with , Air One announced its largest order yet: 24 comprising 12 A330-200s and 12 A350-800s for $4.8 billion, with deliveries planned from 2012 to 2018 and options for 20 more planes worth $3.8 billion; these were aimed at developing long-haul services from Malpensa. Following transfer to , the A350-800 order was canceled in April 2014. By 2009, Air One's fleet had reached its peak with approximately 30 A320-200s forming the core for short- and medium-haul operations, supplemented by two leased A330-200s introduced in 2008 for longer routes. The A320s were configured in an all-economy layout with 180 seats to maximize density on high-frequency European services, while the A330-200s featured a mixed configuration including for premium transatlantic and intercontinental flights. Following the 2008 merger with to form Compagnia Aerea Italiana (CAI), many of the pre-merger were phased out or reallocated, but the new orders were integrated into the combined entity's fleet planning, with A330s entering service from 2012. From 2010 to 2014, under the Air One "Smart Carrier" low-cost brand as 's subsidiary, operations were scaled down to a smaller fleet of nine A320-200s based primarily at Milan Malpensa, all configured in a high-density all-economy setup to compete in the budget market on intra-European routes. Upon the brand's dissolution on September 30, 2014, the remaining aircraft and outstanding orders—including undelivered A320s—were transferred to , which absorbed the assets to consolidate its operations and route network without separate branding. This transfer supported 's efforts to streamline its fleet amid financial challenges, with the A330s entering service for mainline long-haul duties.

References

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