Chris Jasper/LONDON
British Airways is poised to launch an Italian franchise operation with the aid of Australian regional carrier National Jet Systems (NJS). The airline is expected to operate as National Jets Italia and will use the air operator's certificate (AOC) of UK charter carrier British World Airlines (BWA).
BA had planned to launch an Italian operation earlier this year, but was thwarted by the failure of NJS to secure an AOC via investment in Irish independent CityJet (Flight International, 10-16 March). BA is expected to announce details of the plan this month and could begin flights in September.
The new airline will launch with five British Aerospace 146-300s acquired from UNI Air of Taiwan. The aircraft have been remarketed through BAe Asset Management Jets. Two are undergoing maintenance at BAe's Avrotec site.
BWA's involvement stems from contacts with NJS via its Australian Jet Charter subsidiary. BWA has the 146 on its AOC, although it does not operate the type. It will be responsible for the new airline's management services, crew supervision and training, with NJS expected to provide its own crews.
BWA will not discuss details, but says: "We are talking with NJS about proposals on areas where we both have experience and we are looking at sharing that experience."
Rome Fiumicino Airport will be the hub, serving domestic destinations that include Palermo in Sicily. Although BA has plans to link the operations to its London Heathrow and Gatwick hubs via Milan, it seems unlikely that these routes will feature until Airbus A320 family aircraft that are on order can be deployed on them. BA is considering an order for Boeing 717 twinjets, and some of these could be used in Italy.
The UK flag carrier sees the Italian domestic market as a key target, having penetrated France and Germany.
Alitalia's focus on developing its new Milan Malpensa hub at the expense of Rome is deemed to have left it open to competition in the south of the country, while a European Union cap on the Italian carrier's growth (linked to state aid grants) limits its ability to respond immediately to market entrants.
Source: Flight International
