The regional transport department has announced the imminent availability of tickets for a new territorial continuity air service, set to commence on March 29th. This service features five of six routes recently put out to tender.
Ticket Availability and Airlines
Tickets will go on sale shortly as operational details are finalized. All routes will be serviced by Aeroitalia, the sole airline that submitted a bid for the tender.
- Routes Covered:
- Olbia – Milan
- Olbia – Rome
- Cagliari – Rome
- Cagliari – Milan
- Alghero – Rome
Government Decisions and Financial Impact
The regional government approved Aeroitalia’s operating plans for three routes: Olbia-Milan, Olbia-Rome, and Cagliari-Rome. Notably, these routes will operate without compensation, freeing up funds for other transport initiatives.
Competing airlines, ITA and Volotea, are invited to agree to operate the remaining routes without compensation as well. The Cagliari-Milan and Alghero-Rome routes were also designated to Aeroitalia.
Current Operational Status
These routes are presently undergoing operational program reviews. Authorization will be granted upon completion, allowing ticket sales to proceed.
Challenges and Future Plans
A recent challenge arose regarding the Alghero-Milan route, which received no bids during the tender process. Regional Councilor Barbara Manca described this as a “historical criticality.” Currently, Ita Airways is extending its service on this route until October.
The regional government is actively seeking stable solutions for this air route. Manca emphasized the focus on enhancing service quality over merely selecting operators based on price. This approach involves thorough analysis and verification to ensure higher standards and improved overall service.
