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ALITALIA DEVELOPS TOP ITALIAN STUDENTS INTO FUTURE
AIRLINE LEADERS WITH ETIHAD AIRWAYS
Abu Dhabi / Rome, 24 March 2015 – Alitalia has launched a comprehensive new graduate
management program in collaboration with Etihad Airways, providing a unique opportunity
for graduates from Italy’s leading universities to develop into future leaders of the airline.
A total of 400 candidates applied for the program this year, out of which 24 were selected
for enrolment. The first group commenced the program at Etihad Airways’ Abu Dhabi hub
today with a ‘discovery’ phase that identifies their core strengths and career aspirations. A
range of bespoke classroom-based training and work placements will be offered for two or
more years, depending on their interests and career goals. Focus areas can include
revenue management, engineering, airport operations, customer service, finance, network
planning, pricing and ticketing, sales and marketing, and human resources.
The graduates will complete the program with the creation of a business-based project
focused on improving operations in their chosen field at Alitalia. Upon graduation, they will
return to Alitalia as specialists in their chosen field and with unrivalled international
experience working in a dynamic environment with colleagues from over 140 nationalities.
Prior to travelling to Abu Dhabi, the students attended a recent welcome at Alitalia’s
headquarters in Rome, hosted by Chief Executive Officer Silvano Cassano and other
senior executives from the airline.
Mr Cassano said: “Our vision for Alitalia is clear. We want to provide Italian travellers with
improved global connections, drive increased inbound tourism into the country, and
support Italy’s economic growth. Through our revitalised product and service offering, Italy
will once again have a premium national carrier that is recognised around the world.
“The launch of our graduate management program is an important step towards achieving
our ambitious vision and pursuing a radical cultural change. The program structure is a
proven one, as it has been successfully operated by our shareholder Etihad Airways and
a number of its partner airlines for years. We are therefore confident our graduate
managers will return to Alitalia with in-depth knowledge of industry best practice gained
from a high performing and multicultural global business.”
Ray Gammell, Chief People and Performance at Etihad Airways said: “We are delighted
to partner with Alitalia on the launch of this graduate management program, which is
another great example of the benefits that are being derived from the Etihad Airways and
Alitalia partnership. At Etihad Airways, we have built an award winning learning academy
with over 1,400 students in our development programs at any one time, offering talented
individuals the opportunity to become specialists in aviation management. After
completing the programs, the world really is their oyster. Our first graduates have already
progressed into senior management positions and I am delighted to see their careers
continue to flourish.”
Francesco Schena, one of the new graduates to join the program, said: “Applying for the
Alitalia graduate management program was a little nerve-racking for me, because this
type of opportunity is very unique and exciting, and I knew there would be a lot of
competition amongst the candidates. Being selected to join the program in its first year is
a dream come true and I look forward to developing my skills and experience at a worldclass airline such as Etihad Airways, before returning to serve my national carrier in Italy.”
Last year, Etihad Airways invested €560 million investment to acquire a 49 per cent
shareholding in New Alitalia and a 75 per cent interest in Alitalia Loyalty, which operates
the MilleMiglia frequent flier program.
- ENDS –
PHOTO CAPTION: The first participants of Alitalia’s Graduate Management Program
are welcomed in Abu Dhabi by Wissam Hachem, Etihad Airways Vice President
Learning & Development, and Fatma Al Ali, Etihad Airways Head of UAE National
Development.
Media Contacts
Etihad Airways
Robeel Haq
+971 2 511 1429
rhaq@etihad.ae
Alitalia
Corporate Affairs
+39 06 65638950
ufficio.stampa@alitalia.it
About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and in 2014 carried 14.8 million passengers. From its Abu
Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to 111 existing or announced passenger and cargo destinations in the
Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of 111 Airbus and
Boeing aircraft, and more than 200 aircraft on firm order, including 70 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777-X, 62
Airbus A350s and nine Airbus A380s. Etihad Airways holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Serbia, Air
Seychelles, Aer Lingus, Alitalia, Jet Airways and Virgin Australia, and is in the process of formalising an
equity investment in Swiss-based Etihad Regional, operated by Darwin Airline. Etihad Airways, along with
airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Etihad Regional, Jet Airways and NIKI, also participate in
Etihad Airways Partners, a new brand that brings together like-minded airlines to offer customers more
choice through improved networks and schedules and enhanced frequent flyer benefits. For more
information, please visit: www.etihad.com
About Alitalia
Alitalia - Società Aerea Italiana (alitalia.com) is Italy’s largest airline and commenced operations on
January 1, 2015 after acquiring the operational activities of Alitalia - Compagnia Aerea Italiana, now
named CAI. CAI has a 51% controlling stake in Alitalia and the remaining 49% of shares are owned by
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates. As part of its 2014-2015 winter schedule,
Alitalia flies to 83 destinations, including 26 Italian and 57 international destinations, with a total of 123
routes and 3,650 weekly flights. Alitalia boasts one of the most modern and efficient fleets in the world
with an average age of seven years. It is a member of the SkyTeam alliance and is part of the
Transatlantic Joint Venture alongside Air France-KLM and Delta Air Lines. Alitalia, together with airberlin,
Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Etihad Airways, Etihad Regional operated by Darwin Airline, Jet Airways and
NIKI, also participates in Etihad Airways Partners, which brings together like-minded airlines to offer
customers more choice through improved networks and schedules and enhanced frequent flyer benefits.
Alitalia and Etihad Airways have been named Official Global Airline Carriers of Expo Milano 2015.