Latest news with #ITAAirways
Libya Review
14 hours ago
- Business
- Libya Review
Can Benghazi Become Italy's Main Economic Gateway to Libya?
A delegation of around 80 Italian business leaders recently arrived in Benghazi to take part in the Libya–Italy Economic Forum for Reconstruction and Development, signaling a renewed Italian interest in engaging with eastern Libya's economic revival, according to Italy's Nova news agency. The forum marked a turning point in economic engagement between Italy and eastern Libya, bringing new momentum to bilateral trade and investment. According to Nova, the Italian business leaders arrived aboard the first direct ITA Airways flight from Rome to Benghazi. The event, co-organized by the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Libyan Reconstruction and Development Fund, led by Belgassem Haftar, focused on building partnerships in vital sectors such as energy, infrastructure, agriculture, logistics, and industrial manufacturing. Benghazi, once heavily affected by conflict, presented itself as a city in transformation. Nova noted that the Italian delegation visited the newly inaugurated Benghazi International Stadium and the rebuilt University of Benghazi, both symbols of post-war recovery. The skyline of Benghazi is now filled with cranes and ongoing construction projects, with Nova describing it as a dynamic urban landscape comparable to Dubai in the 1980s or Shanghai in the early 2000s. Multiple memoranda of understanding were signed with 98 Italian companies, including major names such as Iveco, Todini, Termomeccanica, and Renco. These agreements target cooperation in sectors ranging from transport and healthcare to environmental solutions and energy management. Nova emphasized that this initiative reflects Italy's strategy of establishing long-term, high-quality business partnerships in eastern Libya. Nicola Colicci, head of the Italian–Libyan Chamber of Commerce, launched a permanent office in Benghazi during the forum, declaring Italy's intention to maintain a stable presence. 'We're not here as short-term visitors,' Colicci said. 'We want to build something lasting with Libya.' This economic forum, supported by the Libyan Reconstruction Fund, is seen as a milestone in repositioning Benghazi as a central hub for foreign investment, with Italy now rising to second place among Libya's top trade partners after China, according to Nova. Tags: benghaziEconomic ForuminvestmentItalylibyaReconstruction
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Sheryl Lee Ralph's luggage went missing: What to do in that case
The post, which included a meme from her character on the show, put a positive spin on the setback, with Ralph writing "I am making the choice to be happy and enjoy Italy because it's easy for one bad experience to spoil many great ones." Woke up this morning and still have not received my luggage from @ITAAirways but I am making the choice to be happy and enjoy Italy because it's easy for one bad experience to spoil many great ones. — sheryl lee ralph (@thesherylralph) June 24, 2025 Airlines are generally pretty good about baggage handling, but their officials recognize it's extremely frustrating for travelers when they get it wrong. According to the Department of Transportation, U.S. airlines on average mishandled 0.6 of every 100 bags transported in 2024, a 0.1 point increase over 2023. Want to ride an airport bag belt?: You can't, but we can show you where they go. If a bag is never recovered, passengers are entitled to compensation for their lost goods. Airlines are allowed to cap their damage liability to $4,700 for domestic flights or about $1,700 for international itineraries, according to the DOT. Carriers are allowed to exclude some things from their liability responsibility on domestic itineraries, including fragile or perishable items, electronics, cash and other valuables, so long as those exceptions are disclosed in the airline's contract of carriage. For delayed bags, airlines are required by the DOT to provide reasonable compensation to travelers for daily incidentals. The DOT suggests filing a lost luggage claim as soon as possible if your bag does not show up on the belt after your flight. Fortunately, for Ralph, her luggage was recovered. In a later post on Tuesday, she shared a picture of her suitcases with the caption, "The bags have arrived!!!!!" Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@
Libya Review
4 days ago
- Business
- Libya Review
Italy Resumes Direct Flights to Benghazi
Benghazi's Benina International Airport welcomed the first direct commercial flight from Rome on Tuesday, marking the official resumption of air travel between Italy and eastern Libya after a 13-year hiatus. Operated by ITA Airways, the flight signals a major step toward restoring Libya's international connectivity and attracting European investment. The flight was received as a landmark moment by the Libyan Reconstruction and Development Fund, which described it as one of the most significant transport developments in over a decade. The initiative falls under the fund's broader strategy to rebuild Libya's infrastructure and revive international partnerships, a process closely led by its Director General, Belgassem Khalifa Haftar. 'This is not just a flight; it's a message that Libya is open again,' said Haftar. 'It's the result of intensive discussions with Italian officials and business leaders, aimed at restoring trust and reopening economic channels.' The launch comes ahead of the Libyan-Italian Forum for Development and Reconstruction, set to be held in Benghazi, where government officials, investors, and private sector leaders from both countries will explore joint economic opportunities. On board the inaugural flight were the Italian Consul, the head of the Italian Chamber of Commerce, and more than 100 representatives from major Italian firms. Their arrival reflects growing international interest in reengaging with Libya, especially in its more stable eastern region. The new Rome–Benghazi route is expected to facilitate business, diplomacy, and trade while strengthening Libya's ties with Europe. It also represents a concrete step in efforts to normalize the country's international standing and revive sectors vital for long-term recovery.
CairoScene
12-06-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Saudi to Allocate 2.5 Million Airline Seats for Umrah by End of 2025
Routes from Europe, including Paris, Lyon and London, are part of a wider strategy to improve access to Madinah and Jeddah. Saudi Arabia has announced plans to allocate a total of 2.5 million airline seats for Umrah pilgrims by the end of 2025, with over 700,000 seats already utilised during the first quarter of the year. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance air connectivity to the Kingdom's key pilgrimage cities, including Madinah and Jeddah, and to streamline travel for visitors from across the globe. The expansion was unveiled during the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum, held in Madinah from April 14th to the 16th, which brought together 150 exhibitors representing over 100 countries. The event focused on infrastructure, travel technologies, and Madinah's historical significance. So far in 2025, 12 airlines have joined the Kingdom's air connectivity programme, introducing 20 new international routes and adding 1.5 million seats to the network. Participating carriers include ITA Airways, British Airways, Wizz Air, and Eurowings. Several of the new connections focus on Europe. Germany's Stuttgart has been added to the growing list of cities with direct flights to Jeddah, alongside Berlin and Cologne. Transavia, the France-based carrier, will soon operate flights from Paris and Lyon. In the United Kingdom, daily flights from London's Gatwick Airport to Madinah are scheduled to begin in August, contributing 180,000 seats to the Umrah travel system. The expansion reflects Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts to facilitate religious tourism and improve access to holy sites as part of Vision 2030, which seeks to increase the number of annual Umrah visitors to 30 million.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lufthansa Cargo to market capacity on ITA Airways, add Rome hub
Lufthansa Cargo in mid-June will start selling cargo capacity and handling shipments on ITA Airways, the Italian carrier in which Deutsche Lufthansa AG acquired a 41% stake in January for nearly $350 million. The deal allows Lufthansa Cargo to make Rome its cargo hub for Southern Europe. Lufthansa's cargo subsidiary will start marketing ITA cargo capacity under its own designated airway bill from Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, as well as from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Rome, on June 16, according to a news release on Monday. On all other routes, both airlines will initially operate under two separate airway bill numbers. Lufthansa Cargo will gradually take over the sale of ITA's belly space on all routes, following necessary regulatory approvals. The addition of ITA will increase global belly capacity available to Lufthansa Cargo customers by almost 20%, while giving them an even denser network of city pairs to choose from, the company said. Lufthansa Cargo operates 12 Boeing 777 long-haul cargo jets and four Airbus A321 converted freighters in regional service. It received a new freighter from Boeing during the first quarter. An additional six aircraft are chartered from AeroLogic, a joint venture with DHL, and operated by AeroLogic on behalf of Lufthansa Cargo. Lufthansa Cargo also manages the belly cargo for Lufthansa Group's passenger airlines, with the exception of Swiss International. 'Along with our partner ITA Airways, we are excited to offer our customers even more attractive routes, additional capacities and solutions to and from Europe as well as worldwide to meet their transportation needs. … In addition to Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna and Brussels, Rome will be our 5th hub that will help us offer flexible and quality solutions to our customers. Our customers will benefit from even more reliable, faster connections to and from southern Europe,' said Lufthansa Cargo CEO Ashwin Bhat. Lufthansa Group has expressed interest in increasing its share of ITA Airways. The Italian government is the airline's majority shareholder. ITA has a fleet of 99 aircraft, including 22 long-haul Airbus jets, and flies to 70 destinations around the world. Last week, Lufthansa Group made changes to Cargo's executive leadership, moving Frank Bauer from chief financial officer and labor director to chief operating officer and installing Gregor Schleussner, currently head of finance, controlling and accounting at sister airline Eurowings, as CFO and chief human resources officer, effective July 1. Lufthansa Cargo's revenue grew 21% year over year in the first quarter to $938.8 million, while adjusted earnings before interest and taxes increased to $70 million from a $24 million loss, thanks to increased yields, strong demand from China and lower costs. Click here for more FreightWaves/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch. RELATED READING: Lufthansa handles some cargo for ITA Airways ahead of pending deal Lufthansa Cargo bolsters China partnerships as trade grows Lufthansa Cargo introduces freighter service from Vietnam to US The post Lufthansa Cargo to market capacity on ITA Airways, add Rome hub appeared first on FreightWaves.
