Alitalia has confirmed that talks are under way with Malaysia Airlines (MAS) for a new code-share that may begin by August this year.
Alitalia regional sales and marketing manager for the Far East and Australia, Vincenzo Cappelluto, says from Hong Kong that the "talks are in very early stages for a code-share on MAS services to Rome".
He adds that "if everything is agreed, the code-share should be in place by August or September".
Cappelluto says Alitalia has been "looking for a second service that we could offer to the public to the Asia Pacific", which he says the carrier serves "via a code-share with KLM from Singapore to Australia which is our only coverage in the Singapore-Malaysia-Indonesia area". He says that if "the two carriers decide to go ahead with the code-share, then MAS will increase its frequencies to Rome to three from two flights per week".
On the impact the intended code-share may have on evolving plans for the 'Wings' global alliance, Cappelluto will only say that the move is "very much an independent tactical move".
"It is not part of any strategic move within Wings, although I know that right now MAS is already talking with KLM about expanding its code-sharing relationship," he says.
The planned alliance is to be based around KLM, Northwest, Continental and Alitalia. Air China, EVA Airways, Japan Air System and particularly Air France and MAS are also identified with the potential grouping.
Source: Flight Daily News
