ALITALIA TO FLY LAX-ROME BEGINNING IN JUNE – NEW INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS TO LAX GENERATE TENS OF MILLIONS FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ECONOMY

(Los Angeles, California – April 27, 2010)  Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa today cheered the announcement that Alitalia will resume nonstop service from Los AngelesInternationalAirport (LAX) to Rome five times a week beginning June 5, 2010.  The returning air service on wide-body aircraft is expected to generate hundreds of millions of dollars annually in economic activity in Southern California.

            “I am very proud that Alitalia has chosen LAX as its U.S. West Coast gateway,” said Mayor Villaraigosa.  “The nonstop route between LAX and Rome will strengthen business, tourism and cultural ties with one of the most desirable cities inEurope, while providing improved connecting service to more southern European destinations.           

            “Gaining new and increased international service at LAX and LA/Ontario International Airport is a top priority for me because of the substantial contribution these flights make to the economy of Southern California,” the Mayor added. “Alitalia’s nonstop service to Rome is a prime example of the type of air service we want to attract to our airports.”

            “We are excited to bring the Alitalia brand back to Los Angeles,” said Antonio Temporini, senior vice president for Alitalia in North America.  “The return of the flight is a sign of Alitalia’s renewal.  With the launch of L.A.–Rome, Alitalia will be the only airline to offer a nonstop flight to Italy from the West Coast of the United States.”

            According to a study by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation, one average daily, round-trip, transoceanic flight of wide-body aircraft to/from LAX generates $623 million in economic output annually, and sustains 3,120 direct and indirect jobs in Southern California with annual wages of $156 million.

            The flight from Los Angeles to Rome will operate with five weekly flights (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) using Boeing 777-200 aircraft with 291 seats.

            The flight will depart from LAX’s Terminal 2 at 3:25 p.m. Pacific Time and land in Rome, Fiumicino (FCO) at 12:15 p.m. the following day, after 11 hours and 50 minutes travel time.  On the return, flights will depart at 9:25 a.m. from Rome and arrive in Los Angeles at 1:35 p.m. Pacific Time, after 13 hours flight time. 

            The flight schedule was developed to provide Alitalia passengers with convenient connections between Rome and major Italian and European cities, as well as between LAX and important cities in the Southwestern United States.

             Passengers flying to Rome from Los Angeles in Economy Class will be served complimentary hot Italian meals, wine and snacks.  Passengers flying in Magnifica Class, Alitalia’s long-haul business class, will experience the airline’s new service offered in partnership with some of Italy’s well-known brands, including blankets and pillows by Frette, and flatware and dishes designed by Richard Ginori. Menus will feature a different Italian region each season and meals will be paired with Italian wines selected by the Italian Sommelier Association.

            Los Angeles will be Alitalia’s seventh North American gateway, adding toBoston, Chicago, Miami, New York/JFK, Newark and Toronto.  Alitalia offers service from Atlanta and Detroit through codeshare with its Sky Team partners, Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines.  For further information on Alitalia please visitwww.alitalia.com.