National Jet Italia
_British_Airways_(GB_Airways)_%22Chelsea_Rose%22._(6564376905).jpg) | |||||||
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| Founded | 2000 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Commenced operations | 11 July 2000 | ||||||
Ceased operations | October 2001 | ||||||
| Hubs | Rome | ||||||
| Alliance | British Airways | ||||||
| Fleet size | 9 | ||||||
| Key people | Sergio Bille President | ||||||
National Jet Italia is a defunct airline based in Italy. It lasted for a little bit more than a year in early 2000s.
History
[edit]It was an attempt, admittedly a bit risky, to establish a regional carrier directly on Italian soil alongside the well established British Airways. After a couple of years spent studying the characteristics of the Italian domestic market, the company was incorporated in 2000 under the name Italian National Airlines. At the time of its official launch, the company, with share capital of approximately $35 million, was largely majority-owned by the Dutch financial company Magtibay Holding BV. The initial management team consisted of CEO Brian Bailey (over 20 years of experience with the British Airways Group) and General Manager Gian Paolo Borgna.
The operational base was established at Rome Fiumicino airport because the focus was on the business market. For this reason, British Aerospace 146 Series 300 aircraft (the most spacious version) were chosen, configured in two classes - 12 seats in business class and 82 in economy - with cabin service provided by Italian staff. The aircraft were operated by British World Airways, a British carrier specializing in wet-leases. The franchising agreement with British Airways also included operational support, product sales, and various services. An independent sales network was established in Southern Italy. Tickets could be purchased directly online and printed on paper.[1]
Scheduled flights debuted on July 11, 2000, with four daily connections between Rome and Palermo. In the following months, flights to Catania, Genoa, Milan, and Verona were added to the network, followed by international flights to Athens and Nice in April 2001. Two more BAe 146 aircraft were added, followed by Boeing 737s, also on lease. In July 2001, the company was sold to Aviation Partner Worldwide and then, three months later, to Nicaram, a Dutch financial company.
The first uncertainties emerged in early October: international flights were suspended, and the Boeing 737s were returned. It was noted, among other things, that the company did not have its own operating certificate (AOC) issued by ENAC (Italian civil aviation authority) because the entire fleet was leased.
A sudden cold shower fell on all staff: due to lack of liquidity, all flights were suspended, while the aircraft had already returned, almost stealthily, to Great Britain. No agreement was proposed to the creditors. In 2000 months, the company had recorded a deficit of 43 billion Liras despite having carried a total of 350,000 passengers. Its definitive closure occurred on November 9, 2001.[2]
Fleet
[edit]| Aircraft | Total | Image | Introduced | Retired | Registrations and remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Aerospace 146 | 5 | .jpg) | 1999 | 2001 | G-NJIA/NJIB/NJIC/NJID/NJIE all leased |
| Boeing 737-400 | 2 | _JP5927625.jpg) | 1999 | 2001 | G-BNNK/BNNL all leased |
| Boeing 737-300 | 2 | .jpg) | 1999 | 2001 | G-OBWY/OBWZ all leased |
References
[edit]- ↑ G. Endres (editor) + Air Transport Intelligence, "World Airlines 2001" Directory, Flight International weekly magazine, Reed Business Information Ltd., U.K.
- ↑ G. Endres (editor) + Air Transport Intelligence, "World Airlines 2002" Directory, Flight International weekly magazine, Reed Business Information Ltd., U.K.
Further reading
[edit]- N. Pedde, Almanacco delle Linee Aeree Italiane 1947-2007 (in Italian language), "Landra Helicus", GAN, Roma, 2007, ISBN 978-88-89640-06-7