Alitalia and Etihad launch Expo tix sale

(ANSA) - Rome, December 23 - Alitalia and Etihad Airways, official global carriers of Expo 2015, launched online ticket sales to the world's fair on Tuesday from their websites, offering a 20% discount on tickets purchased by April.
    "As Italy prepares to welcome visitors from all corners of the world to its landmark Expo Milano 2015 event, Etihad Airways and Alitalia are delighted to support the event as its Official Global Carriers," said Etihad Airways Chief Commercial Officer Peter Baumgartner.
    "In addition to enhancing our travel connections between Italy and key destinations worldwide, today's ticket sale launch will be followed by a range of exciting promotional offers in the coming months to optimise global participation". Alitalia will triple its service frequency between Italy and Abu Dhabi in March 2015 with new daily services from Milan and Venice. As a result, the two airlines will offer a combined 35 frequencies per week between Italy and Abu Dhabi, with double-daily flights to Milan and Rome, and a daily service to Venice.
    Etihad will codeshare on Alitalia's new Milan and Venice routes and connect the services to other destinations across its international network. Its 'EY' code was also recently added to 15 of Alitalia's domestic Italy routes, as well as additional routes beyond Rome within Europe, offering travellers even more choice and convenience.
    Furthermore, Alitalia will offer a number of new routes for summer 2015, especially on its intercontinental network, enhancing the opportunities for visitors to reach Expo Milano 2015.
    Both airlines will exhibit at next year's Expo with a joint pavilion measuring 1,150 square metre.
    Ariodante Valeri, Chief Commercial Officer at Alitalia, commented: "Alitalia is proud to be associated with Expo Milano 2015. As part of our commitment to enhance tourism and trade in Italy, we will provide excellent travel connections that will encourage visitors to attend Expo Milano 2015 and therefore create strong demand for ticket sales".