OLBIA — Air Italy has announced new four times weekly nonstop service between Toronto and Milan starting in spring 2019.

The new route marks the carrier’s eighth new international destination, its first in Canada and its fifth in North America, along with New York and Miami plus, starting in April 2019, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

The Toronto flights are scheduled to start on May 6, 2019 using Milan Malpensa (MXP). Departures will operate four times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Fares go on sale today, Dec. 18.

Air Italy says it will use Airbus A330-200s on the route, with 24 flatbed seats in Business Class and 228 seats in Economy Class.

Air Italy, formerly Meridiana prior to its merger with charter carrier Eurofly and the acquisition of the charter company Air Italy, is owned by Alisarda (51%) and Qatar Airways (49%).

Air Italy’s Chief Operating Officer, Rossen Dimitrov, says Toronto “is an extremely welcome addition to the Air Italy route map and clearly reflects the importance of the North American market to us.”

He adds that Air Italy is in expansion mode, and that “there is enormous potential in extending our reach to Canada, thanks to its economic relevance and strong global relations.”

Air Italy connects with eight Italian cities (Rome, Naples, Palermo, Catania, Lamezia Terme, Olbia and Cagliari) from its Milan Malpensa hub, four cities in the USA (New York, Miami, Los Angeles and San Francisco), two in India (Delhi and Mumbai), Toronto and Bangkok.