LONDON- Air France-KLM aims to modify the decree governing operations at Milan Linate Airport (LIN), proposing to eliminate distance restrictions on permitted flights.
This adjustment is sought to facilitate the introduction of direct routes between the Milan City airport and New York.
Air France-KLM New York-Milan
Benjamin Smith, CEO of the Franco-Dutch conglomerate, disclosed this intention to Corriere della Sera during a summit in Brussels organized by the Airlines for Europe association.
“Once this limitation is lifted, we aspire to establish the route utilizing the Airbus A321neo,” remarked the CEO, alluding to the suitability of the single-aisle aircraft for the endeavor.
Challenges at the urban airport Smith openly expresses interest in Linate, situated a short distance from the heart of Milan and accessible via subway. However, his proposal encounters obstacles imposed by existing regulations, which restrict hourly movements to 18 (including departures and arrivals) and impose limitations on the range of connections, capped at 1,500 kilometers per the latest amendment sanctioned by the European Commission.
Formerly, flights were only permitted to EU airports, but in light of Brexit, necessitated measures were taken to prevent disruptions to routes between Linate and London.
The primary target demographic is affluent “corporate” and “leisure” travelers. Notably, the A321neo is already operational on the route between Malpensa and Newark by the French airline La Compagnie, which offers a luxurious all-business-class configuration with only 74 seats, a significant deviation from the typical 220-seat layout.
With a range of up to 7,400 kilometers, the aircraft surpasses the distance between Linate and New York’s “JFK,” which measures 6,477 kilometers along the orthodromic route (the shortest path between two points on a sphere).
Air France has not placed orders for the A321neo, while KLM has already secured 100 units, including both A320neo and A321neo variants, designated for fleet modernization within the Transavia group’s low-cost airline. Although the agreement allows for additional A321neo options, none have been exercised as of yet.
Given the runway’s length, only single-aisle aircraft are permitted at Linate. Twin-aisle aircraft such as the Airbus A330, A350, A380, or Boeing 777 and 787 are not authorized for scheduled operations.
Pax Demand and Revenue
Based on data provided to Corriere by Airline Data Inc, more than 35,000 passengers traveled between Linate and New York’s two major international airports (JFK and Newark) in 2023, averaging nearly a hundred passengers daily.
From an economic perspective, although fares are contingent upon passengers requiring layovers, individuals traveling between the Milan City airport and New York paid an average of approximately $464 (this figure represents one-way fare and should be doubled for round-trip calculations), resulting in total revenues of around $16.5 million.
Italian and European authoritative sources indicate that there are presently no ongoing discussions regarding potential modifications to the Linate decree. This stance primarily safeguards the intercontinental hub of Northern Italy, namely Malpensa.
Additionally, it remains unclear how Air France-KLM could establish direct transatlantic connections given their operational model, which revolves around a “hub and spoke” system primarily focused on transit flows between Europe and North America via their Paris and Amsterdam bases. This complexity is further compounded by joint venture agreements with British Virgin Atlantic (London) and Delta Air Lines (USA).
However, Smith’s statements resonate with La Compagnie’s stance and validate the presence of underlying discussions regarding the possibility of initiating a direct flight between Milan City Airport and New York.
Whether this topic will be brought to the EU negotiation table for approval of the ITA Airways-Lufthansa merger remains uncertain.
Insiders highlight the technical feasibility of implementing changes, especially given the utilization of the latest generation of aircraft, known for their quieter operation and reduced environmental footprint.
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