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Abu Dhabi - Alitalia has launched a comprehensive new graduate management program in collaboration with Etihad Airways,providing a unique opportunity for graduates from Italy's leading universitiesto develop into future leaders of the airline.
A total of 400 candidates applied for the program this year, out of which 24 were selected for enrolment. The first group commenced the program at Etihad Airways' Abu Dhabi hub today with a 'discovery' phase that identifies their corestrengths and career aspirations. A range of bespokeclassroom-based training and work placements will be offered for two or more years, depending on their interests and career goals. Focus areas can include revenue management, engineering, airport operations, customer service, finance, network planning,pricing and ticketing,sales and marketing,and human resources.
The graduates will complete the program with the creation of a business-based project focused on improving operations in their chosen field at Alitalia.Upon graduation, they will return to Alitalia as specialists in their chosen field and with unrivalledinternational experience working in a dynamic environment with colleagues from over 140 nationalities.
Prior to travelling to Abu Dhabi, the students attended a recent welcome at Alitalia's headquarters in Rome, hosted by Chief Executive Officer Silvano Cassano and other senior executives from the airline.
Mr Cassano said: "Our vision for Alitalia is clear. We want to provide Italian travellers with improved global connections, drive increased inbound tourism into the country, and support Italy's economic growth. Through our revitalised product and service offering, Italy will once again have a premium national carrier that is recognised around the world.
"The launch of our graduate management program is an important step towards achieving our ambitious visionand pursuing a radical cultural change. The program structureis a proven one, as it has been successfullyoperated by our shareholder Etihad Airways and a number of its partner airlines for years. We are therefore confident our graduate managers will return to Alitalia with in-depth knowledge of industry best practice gained from ahigh performing and multicultural global business."
Ray Gammell, Chief People and Performance at Etihad Airways said: "We are delighted to partner with Alitalia on the launch of this graduate management program, which is another great example of the benefits that are being derived from the Etihad Airways and Alitalia partnership. At Etihad Airways, we have built an award winning learning academy with over 1,400 students in our development programs at any one time, offering talented individuals the opportunity to become specialists in aviation management. After completing the programs, the world really is their oyster.Our first graduates havealready progressed into senior management positions and I am delighted to see their careers continue to flourish."
Francesco Schena, one of the new graduates to join the program, said: "Applying for the Alitalia graduate management program was a little nerve-racking for me, because this type of opportunity is very unique and exciting, and I knew there would be a lot of competition amongst the candidates. Being selected to join the program in its first year is a dream come true and I look forward to developing my skills and experience at a world-class airline such as Etihad Airways, before returning to serve my national carrier in Italy."
Last year, Etihad Airways invested €560 million investment to acquire a 49 per cent shareholding in New Alitalia and a 75 per cent interest in Alitalia Loyalty, which operates the MilleMiglia frequent flier program.
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About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and in 2014 carried 14.8 million passengers. From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to 111 existing or announced passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of 111 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and more than 200 aircraft on firm order, including 70 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777-X, 62 Airbus A350s and nine Airbus A380s. Etihad Airways holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Aer Lingus, Alitalia, Jet Airways and Virgin Australia, and is in the process of formalising an equity investment in Swiss-based Etihad Regional, operated by Darwin Airline. Etihad Airways, along with airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Etihad Regional, Jet Airways and NIKI, also participate in Etihad Airways Partners, a new brand that brings together like-minded airlines to offer customers more choice through improved networks and schedules and enhanced frequent flyer benefits.
For more information, please visit: www.etihad.com
About Alitalia
Alitalia - Società Aerea Italiana (alitalia.com) is Italy's largest airline and commenced operations on January 1, 2015 after acquiring the operational activities of Alitalia - Compagnia Aerea Italiana, now named CAI. CAI has a 51% controlling stake in Alitalia and the remaining 49% of shares are owned by Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates. As part of its 2014-2015 winter schedule, Alitalia flies to 83 destinations, including 26 Italian and 57 international destinations, with a total of 123 routes and 3,650 weekly flights. Alitalia boasts one of the most modern and efficient fleets in the world with an average age of seven years. It is a member of the SkyTeam alliance and is part of the Transatlantic Joint Venture alongside Air France-KLM and Delta Air Lines. Alitalia, together with airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Etihad Airways, Etihad Regional operated by Darwin Airline, Jet Airways and NIKI, also participates in Etihad Airways Partners, which brings together like-minded airlines to offer customers more choice through improved networks and schedules and enhanced frequent flyer benefits. Alitalia and Etihad Airways have been named Official Global Airline Carriers of Expo Milano 2015.
Media Contacts
Etihad Airways
Robeel Haq
+971 2 511 1429
rhaq@etihad.ae
Alitalia
Corporate Affairs
+39 06 65638950
ufficio.stampa@alitalia.it
© Press Release 2015
