Alitalia resumes flights to Shanghai

Alitalia has resumed flights to Shanghai, following a hiatus of more than seven years since the carrier suspended the service back in 2008.

The launch of the three weekly flights this month is timed to coincide with the opening of World Expo in Milan, which is expected to be a popular draw for Chinese visitors. Alitalia is the official airline of the event.

The new Milan-Shanghai service will now depart the Italian city’s Malpensa International Airport every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 0610, arriving at Pudong International Airport at 2330. The return service will then leave Shanghai every Monday, Thursday and Saturday at 0050, arriving back in Milan at 0720.

Alitalia will serve the route using a 250-seat, three-class Airbus A330 aircraft.

The resumption of the Shanghai flights forms part of a major long-haul expansion strategy for Alitalia, following Etihad Airways’ recent investment in the carrier. It will also launch flights from Rome to Beijing, San Francisco, Mexico City and Santiago, plus additional flights to Tokyo, New York, Chicago and Rio de Janeiro.

sourced:traveldailymedia.com