Air Italy Is Putting Brand New Boeing 737s Into Storage – Troubles Ahead?
February 25, 2019 1:40 pm
Could Air Italy be the next airline on the brink of financial troubles? The latest information available appears to show that two of the airline’s next B737MAXs have been repainted and placed into storage. This follows a number of high profile route cancellations by the airline.
The last two years have been particularly troubling for airlines, with a number of high profile bankruptcies. Indeed, Air Italy’s main competitor, Alitalia, went bankrupt with the Italian government stepping in to save it. These bankruptcies have largely been caused by rising fuel costs and bad currency exchange rates. In February alone Simple Flying has reported on two European airline collapses.
Two Aircraft Stored
Simple Flying has learnt that two of Air Italy’s latest B737 aircraft have been placed into storage. In addition, they have been repainted white. The aircraft, which were due to be leased, were set to be part of 50 new aircraft in operation by 2022. Instead, it seems as though the airline is either delaying their delivery or outright cancelling them.
The first of the two aircraft involved is currently registered as N981BA, due to be delivered as EI-GGM. It has so far made four test flights prior to being stored. The second is registered as N982BA and has yet to be assigned an EI tail number. In total, Air Italy has only received three B737MAX aircraft to date.
Route Cancellations
In recent months, Air Italy has also cancelled a number of new routes. This includes all of the airline’s Asia routes. On September 10th 2018, Air Italy began operating flights to Bangkok. This was followed by Delhi and Mumbai on December 6th 2018. The Mumbai route has already ceased operation. Delhi is due to be axed on the 29th March, with Bangkok following two days later on the 31st.
Additionally, the airline was due to launch a new route from Milan to Chicago on the 14th of May this year. However, the route to Chicago is now postponed until 2020 at the latest.
Airline On The Brink?
The storage of new aircraft and route cancellations could mean one of two things. It is possible that the airline is expanding far too quickly and management has decided the airline needs to take a breather. However, it could also be a sign that things at the airline are not as rosy as seems.
These are some of the first indicators that an airline could be on the brink of financial difficulty. Indeed, WOW air axed key routes, including it’s Delhi route, and returned aircraft. That airline is now reportedly struggling to pay airport fees. It may be too early to call the fate of Air Italy, however, Simple Flying will, of course, keep readers up to date with major developments in the story.
Simple Flying has contacted Air Italy regarding the stored B737 aircraft.
Do you think Air Italy could be in trouble? Let us know in the comments down below.
https://simpleflying.com/air-italy-737s-in-storage/
Max_thepilot ha scritto:
In QR si da' ormai per certo l'arrivo in linea dei 737, cosa non prevista fino a poco fa.
Spero che una eventuale riassegnazione dei 737MAX a QTR risparmi almeno i 3 già in flotta a ISS.