Air Dolomiti - Italy Airlines

HISTORY

Air Dolomiti was founded in 1989 by an Italian businessman, Alcide Leali, whose enthusiasm, commitment and courage were enhanced by a marked perception he had regarding the strategic potential of a market that, until then, had never been fully exploited: inter-regional air transport.

In 1991 the company started its operations, and set itself the target of developing direct flights in Europe from airports in business cities or medium-sized tourist locations, where the major airlines did not provide services. They focused on frequencies, schedules of the flights, and top quality service.

The MISSION of Air Dolomiti was clear from the beginning: to become the first regional company in Italy which could operate at an European level, with direct flights to the airports in the most strategic medium-sized Italian business cities.

The TARGET of the company is business traveller, a most demanding traveller, difficult to satisfy but perfectly in line with the corporate vision of providing different services which are orientated towards high standards and customized services.

1993 saw the start of a cooperation with Lufthansa for services to the hubs managed by the German airways group. The relationship between the two companies successfully expanded due to the widespread connections provided in Italy by Air Dolomiti and the exceptional services provided by the outstanding German company: Air Dolomiti was as a matter of fact the Italian voice within the Star Alliance system.

In 1999 Lufthansa made its first investment in Air Dolomiti and upon fulfilment of the conditions agreed between the major stake holder at that time, Dr. Alcide Leali and Lufthansa, Air Dolomiti was taken over by the German airline in March 2003. This new status meant that the company was no longer simply an entrepreneurial concern, but had become an added value for a most important multinational group. Air Dolomiti has maintained its name and brand value within LufthansaÌs regional system.

Air Dolomiti made its mark from the very beginning as an airline business with a most distinctive corporate culture, and was immediately recognised as a reliable, efficient and strongly customer-orientated company. All services are orientated to satisfy the requirements of travellers, and one of its key strong points today is its commitment to provide several daily flights to each destination which guarantee regular and punctual services.

Almost 1.63 million passengers travelled with the company in 2007.