Azzurra Air

Azzurra Air

IATA ZS ICAO AZI Callsign Azzurra
Founded	December 1995
Commenced operations	December 1996
Ceased operations	March 2004
Focus cities	Rome & Bergamo, Italy
Fleet size	12
Destinations	54
Parent company	Air Malta, Air International Services
Headquarters	Milan, Italy
Key people	Fausto Capalbo (Chairman, Board of Directors)
Website	www.azzurraair.it

An Azzurra Airbus A320 at Manchester Airport

Azzurra Air was a scheduled and charter airline based in Milan, Italy and flying to Spain, Greece, the Netherlands, Portugal and other Mediterranean destinations.

History

The airline was established in December 1995 and was a joint venture by the Italian investment group Air International Services (51% and by Air Malta (49%). It started operations in December 1996. AIS shares were purchased by UK based 7 Group in 2003, anticipating the purchase of Air Malta shares later that year.

In November 2003 it was announced that Azzurra Air was to take over French airline Air Littoral, but this fell through in the following month as Azzurra Air was in financial difficulties . In March 2004 operations were suspended when its regional fleet was withdrawn by lessor and co-owner Air Malta due to non-payment of leases. The company was declared bankrupt in July 2004. It had five Airbus A320-200 aircraft on order at the time.

Services

Azzurra Air only operated one scheduled service from Bergamo to Rome using a Boeing 737-700. All other services were charter operations.

Fleet

The aircraft fleet included:

• 2 Airbus A320-200
• 4 Boeing 737-700
• 4 BAe 146-100
• 3 BAe 146-200