Infrastructure : Aeroitalia temporarily suspends flights to Romania – focus on the Italian domestic market

As part of a growth strategy, Italian airline Aeroitalia has announced that it will temporarily suspend its connections to Romania from November 2024, https://aviation.direct/ informs.   This measure comes after an expansion in the Italian domestic market, particularly in the two important regions of Sardinia and Sicily, where the company recorded a 60% increase in its presence. With this strategic decision, Aeroitalia aims to use its resources more efficiently and meet the growing demand in the domestic market.   The affected connections, which are now temporarily suspended, include flights from Rome Fiumicino (FCO) to Bucharest Otopeni (OTP), to Bacau (BCM), as well as the routes from Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY) to Bacau and from Cuneo Levaldigi (CUF) to Bacau. This change in flight schedules is part of a broader strategy aimed at further expanding and optimising domestic Italian routes.   Aeroitalia, founded in 2021, has made a name for itself in a short time. The airline benefits from a rapidly growing travel market in Italy, which has been reflected in increasing demand for domestic flights in recent years. This demand is driven not only by tourism, but also by increased mobility among the Italian population, who are increasingly opting for flights within the country. This is also confirmed by recent data from the Italian National Statistics Institute (ISTAT), which show an increase in passenger numbers on domestic routes.   Only temporary suspension of flights to Romania planned   The decision to discontinue connections to Romania is seen by industry experts as a logical consequence. "The airline must ensure that it can adapt to market conditions. The temporary suspension of these international connections allows Aeroitalia to concentrate its capacity on the domestic routes that are in high demand," explains aviation expert Dr. Klaus V. Hübner from the University of Applied Sciences in Frankfurt. The focus on the Italian market is not only important for Aeroitalia, but also reflects a general trend in the aviation industry, where many airlines are trying to improve their profitability by focusing on profitable routes.   Resumption announced for the end of March 2025   Although flights to Romania will be suspended from November 2024, Aeroitalia plans to resume these connections regularly at the end of March 2025. This temporary measure will give the company time to focus on internal expansion and better meet the needs of customers in Italy. The re-entry into the Romanian market will thus be accompanied by a possible strengthening of the brand and a broader offer when demand increases again.   The economic impact of these decisions should not be underestimated. In a market that is highly competitive, airlines must constantly look for ways to consolidate their position. The temporary suspension of international connections could prove to be a strategic move to secure and expand market share in Italy in the long term. "The aviation industry is facing numerous challenges, from rising fuel costs to changing passenger travel behavior. Therefore, such decisions are often necessary," says Hübner. In summary, Aeroitalia has taken a bold but strategically sound decision by temporarily suspending its Romanian connections and simultaneously expanding in the domestic market. The coming months will show how these measures will affect the airline's competitiveness and market position.