(Finance) – An event at the gate involving passengers of the departing flight was celebrated today at the airport of Rome Fiumicino the resumption of direct seasonal flights of Qantas from Rome to Perth with continuation up to Sydney, marking the return of this popular route for the second consecutive year. The first flight departed from Rome on Sunday 18 June and the connection will be operated 3 days a week with Qantas’ Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft until 3 October 2023, offering more than 22,000 seats between Italy And Australia during a four-month period. This route remains the only confirmed flight between mainland Europe and Australia offered by an airline.
Qantas has also confirmed it will continue the service for a third year, with flights for 2024 going on sale in early July. Qantas International CEO, Cameron Wallace, said the airline is pleased to once again allow Italians direct flights to Australia. “Last year, our Rome – Perth route was one of the most popular within our network and bookings show that the situation has not changed,” said Mr. Wallace. “One of the trends that we have seen arise post COVID is the predilection for i you fly direct, which is stronger than ever. The significant customer demand for long-haul international routes has given us the confidence we needed to commit to a third season in 2024.”
“It is with great pleasure that today we celebrate the restart, for the second consecutive summer season, of the first and only direct flight from Australia to mainland Europe operated by Qantas” said Ivan Bassato, Chief Aviation Officer of Aeroporti di Roma. “Rome has been confirmed by Qantas for its attractiveness and market response, as well as for the role played by Fiumicino as a reference hub for offering easy connection services to the entire European and Mediterranean region”
Customers departing from Rome can travel to 16 destinations in Europe, including Geneva, Nice, Madrid and Dubrovnik and 14 destinations within Italy, including Milan and Venice. Customers traveling Business class from Rome to Perth will be offered a limited edition travel kit from Qantas, launched in partnership with Tourism Western Australia which features graphics by Western Australian based artist Wongi Kevin Wilson.