Lufthansa launches new Lufthansa Italia brand

New Italian airline to be established - Lufthansa Italia to offer direct connections from Milan Malpensa to European destinations - Flights already available for booking from 99 euros

Lufthansa has launched its new "Lufthansa Italia" brand in Italy. Lufthansa is to found its own Italian airline under the new brand early next year and apply for an Italian Air Operator Certificate (AOC).

The new airline aims to blend German efficiency and reliability with Italian flair.

With an initial fleet of six Airbus A319 aircraft, Lufthansa Italia will focus on Northern Italy, Milano and Lombardy, and will offer connections to major European destinations from February 2009.

Flights to the first two destinations, Barcelona (BCN) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG), will commence from 2 February 2009. Flights to Brussels (BRU), Budapest (BUD), Bucharest (BUH) and Madrid (MAD) will be added to the timetable in early March. London-Heathrow (LHR) and Lisbon (LIS) will be added by end of March 2009.

The Airbus A319, will seat 138 passengers in Business and Economy Class, with a cabin design influenced by Italian origins. The Italian flight attendants will serve Italian delicacies in the in-flight menu.

Lufthansa Italia is cooperating with Milan Malpensa Airport to upgrade the infrastructure to provide passengers with more services and comfort, including an enhanced lounge product and fast-track passage through security.