Aeroitalia plans to withdraw from Sardinia’s air routes operated under the island’s territorial continuity scheme from 2027, raising uncertainty over some connections with Rome and Milan. The scheme provides flights at fixed, subsidized fares, and Aeroitalia currently operates a substantial share of the services.
CEO Gaetano Intrieri announced the decision at a meeting with Italy’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, aviation regulator ENAC and the regional government. He cited the sharp increase in jet fuel costs, which the airline said had risen 150% compared with February, and said there were no longer conditions for the company to continue operating the routes.
Intrieri also said the airline had raised concerns about the tender for the territorial continuity services in March. In May, Sardinia’s regional government committed to providing about €20 million for Aeroitalia and ITA Airways, to be divided according to each airline’s activity. According to Intrieri, the funds had still not been paid by September, and the company remained waiting for them nine months after its initial warnings.
The CEO said Aeroitalia wanted to work with the regional government on an orderly end to its involvement, ideally by January 2027. He added that the company did not expect passengers to experience service disruptions. Aeroitalia employs about 800 people, nearly half of them in Sardinia.
Sources: Il Sole 24 Ore Italia.