MILAN — Air Italy, which launched flights from Toronto to Milan in 2019 and was set to bring back the YYZ-MXP service starting March 29, 2020, has announced it is ceasing operations.

A statement on the carrier’s website says all Air Italy flights through Feb. 25 will be operated by other carriers as scheduled. Tickets for flights scheduled to operate after Feb. 25 will be rebooked on other airlines or refunded, according to Air Italy.

Qatar Airways has a 49% stake in Air Italy. Qatar Airways said in a statement that it would have been willing to continue its support of the airline “but this would have only been possible with the commitment of all shareholders.”

In a shareholders meeting today, the decision was made to cease operations and liquidate.

According to the statement on Air Italy’s website, “following the shareholders’ meeting of Air Italy (Alisarda and Qatar Airways through AQA Holding spa) which decided the ‘liquidazione in bonis’ of the company, and with the aim of minimizing the inconvenience for passengers holding Air Italy tickets, we inform all passengers that: From 11 to 25 February 2020 inclusive, all Air Italy flights will be operated by other carriers at the times and on the days previously scheduled; all passengers who booked flights (outward or return) after 25 February 2020 will be re-protected or fully refunded.”

Air Italy opened sales for its 2020 Toronto-Milan flights back in July 2019.

The six-times weekly summer seasonal service to Milan from Toronto was scheduled to operate March 29 through Oct. 24, 2020.

Other North American gateways for the carrier included New York, Miami, L.A. and San Francisco.

Air Italy instructs passengers from Canada to call 1-800-746-1888, for more information “or by contacting the travel agency in the case of purchase through this channel.”

The airline also gives an email address: refunds@airitaly.com.

“For tickets for return flights after 25 February 2020, if purchased directly via the web (Air Italy portal) or Air Italy contact center, they will be fully refunded in a manner that will be provided via email, or requesting it at the address refunds@airitaly.com. If purchased through the Air Italy ticket office, they will be fully refunded by going to any Air Italy ticket office. If purchased through a travel agency it will be necessary to request a refund or a change of travel by contacting the agency.”

With file from The Associated Press