Alitalia is represented in New Zealand by World Aviation Systems

ALITALIA HISTORY

Alitalia's operations began in 1947 when its first aircraft, a Fiat G-12 Alcione, took off from Turin to Rome. The first intercontinental flights began in 1948 with a 36-hour flight Milan-Rome-Dakar-Natal-Rio de Janeiro-Sao Paolo-Buenos Aires. In 1957 Alitalia and LAI (Linee Aeree Italiane) merged to create Italy's national airline, with a fleet of thirty-seven aircraft.

Today, with its twin hubs at Rome-Fiumicino and Milan-Malpensa, Alitalia's route network reaches to 24 destinations in Italy, and nearly 200 points worldwide, some in conjunction with alliance partners.

In 2001, Alitalia joined SkyTeam, one of the three major global alliances on the international scenario, which also includes Air France, Delta Air Lines, Korean Air, Aeromexico and Czech Airlines.