Alitalia and Aeroflot sign a Memorandum of Understanding
04-Dec-2009 Alitalia and Aeroflot have signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the two Companies, within the framework of the official Russian – Italian intergovernmental summit talks, held under the leadership of the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and the Italian Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Silvio Berlusconi. The document ascertains the intention of both Airlines to develop their existing bilateral partnership and cooperative relationship.
The goal of the cooperation is to further develop new routes and frequencies between Italy and Russia as well as implement a wide ranging reciprocal code-share to domestic and beyond destinations (Alitalia services to Africa, Middle East and Latin America will ideally show the Aeroflot code; Aeroflot services to Asia will reciprocally bear the Alitalia code). Such ambitious development will allow Alitalia and Aeroflot to improve their joint presence on key aviation markets.
Alitalia and Aeroflot intend to cooperate more closely in network planning between Russia and Italy, in reservation procedures in order to increase connectivity between their respective networks, in joint sales and marketing promotions to increase the flows of business and tourist passengers between the two countries.
Both Airlines intend to also extend mutual access to their loyalty programs and to harmonise their passenger service standards, irrespective of the actual operating carrier on the route, to the benefit of the common customers.
Alitalia and Aeroflot are going to partner in information technology, charter and cargo traffic as well as in the other spheres of the airlines' activity.
In order to manage effectively their strengthened cooperation, Alitalia and Aeroflot will establish a governance mechanism: it will ensure the timely and balanced delivery of positive results, to the airlines and their customers.
Alitalia and Aeroflot have a long standing cooperation based on bilateral agreements such as code sharing, interline, interline e-ticketing, and are both key members of the SkyTeam alliance.
At present Alitalia and Aeroflot code share jointly operated daily flights between Moscow and Rome, Milan, Venice and Torino.
The signature of this Memorandum inaugurates a new stage in the development of the commercial cooperation between two Aairlines and adds a valuable contribution to the progress of the Italian-Russian relationship.