Alitalia Returns to China with Service to Beijing

Alitalia will inaugurate a new Rome-Beijing direct flight on July 18, resuming service between Italy and the People’s Republic of China.

The new Beijing service represents Alitalia’s third new intercontinental route of 2016, following Santiago de Chile (starting May 1) and Mexico City (June 16).

The new flight will depart from Rome on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 2:20pm and arrive in Beijing at 6:20am the next day. On the return leg, the flight will leave Beijing every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 9:15am and arrive in Rome at 2:25pm, the same day. All times are local.

This schedule offers convenient connections in Rome Fiumicino to customers traveling from 50 cities in Italy, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

“We are committed to strengthen our presence in the Far East. The new route to Beijing represents a crucial investment for Alitalia as we continue to expand our network through increased long-haul flying to strategic markets”, said Alitalia’s Chief Executive Officer, Cramer Ball.

The airline’s last service to China was almost three-and-a-half years ago.

The announcement of this new service was well-received by the Italian business community in China, who lent their invaluable support during negotiations with the Chinese authorities.

“We accompanied and supported negotiations for this flight during all stages. The important and desired opening of the new Alitalia’s Rome-Beijing service is the result of great Italian teamwork”, the Italian Ambassador to China, H E Ettore Sequi, said.

Alitalia will operate an Airbus A330 aircraft between Rome and Beijing with 250 seats equipped with three cabin classes: Business, Premium Economy and Economy.

Alitalia also serves China with Etihad Airways code-share flights, via Abu Dhabi, to Beijing, Shanghai and Chendou.