Alitalia CityLiner
A former Italian regional airline that operated short-haul flights for the Alitalia network.
Last updated August 25, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Alitalia CityLiner was an Italian regional airline and subsidiary of Alitalia. It operated short-haul domestic and international services on behalf of its parent, concentrating on point-to-point connections between Italian cities and selected European destinations. Its network role was complementary: the carrier used regional aircraft to connect smaller or secondary markets with Alitalia’s principal bases and to provide feeder traffic for the wider Alitalia system. The business originated as Air One CityLiner S.p.A., established by Air One in June 2006. It began flying on 7 June of that year with a new fleet of ten Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft. Its initial services included routes linking Trieste with Rome Fiumicino and Genoa with Naples. The airline expanded beyond Italy in February 2007, when it introduced a service between Turin and Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Air One and Alitalia were brought together under the Alitalia brand in January 2009. Following that integration, Air One CityLiner was reincorporated as Alitalia CityLiner S.p.A. The airline was rebranded as Alitalia CityLiner on 20 April 2011 and became Alitalia’s sole regional airline, taking over a role previously associated with Alitalia Express. Between September 2011 and March 2013, it received a fleet of 20 Embraer 175 and Embraer 190 aircraft, replacing the earlier Bombardier regional-jet fleet as the principal equipment associated with its operations. Alitalia CityLiner maintained bases at Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport in Rome and Linate Airport in Milan. Its flights were marketed and scheduled within the Alitalia system rather than positioned as a fully independent international network. Through its parent, it was affiliated with SkyTeam during the period when Alitalia belonged to that alliance, from 2009 until 2021. The airline’s later history followed the financial deterioration of Alitalia. In August 2019, Alitalia and Alitalia CityLiner were placed under Italian extraordinary administration after years of unprofitability. The Italian government fully owned Alitalia from 2020. Both Alitalia and Alitalia CityLiner ceased operations on 15 October 2021, when ITA Airways replaced the former Alitalia operating structure. The available reference material identifies the cessation date and the main corporate transitions, but does not establish a separate final liquidation date for the CityLiner legal entity.
History
Alitalia CityLiner began as Air One CityLiner S.p.A., an Air One subsidiary founded in June 2006. It entered service on 7 June with ten new Bombardier CRJ-900 regional jets. The first routes connected Trieste with Rome Fiumicino and Genoa with Naples, giving the new airline a domestic Italian role from the outset. In February 2007, it added its first international service, linking Turin with Paris-Charles de Gaulle. A major corporate change occurred in January 2009, when Air One and Alitalia were merged under the Alitalia brand. Air One CityLiner was subsequently reincorporated as Alitalia CityLiner S.p.A. The carrier’s identity was formally rebranded on 20 April 2011. It became Alitalia’s only regional airline, replacing Alitalia Express in that position. This placed CityLiner within a more unified regional operating structure supporting Alitalia’s domestic and short-haul European network. Fleet modernization accompanied the rebranding. Between September 2011 and March 2013, the airline received 20 Embraer 175 and Embraer 190 aircraft. These aircraft became the main regional jets associated with the carrier’s later operations. CityLiner operated from two principal bases, Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport and Milan Linate Airport. Its flights were conducted for the Alitalia network, combining point-to-point regional services with connections that supported Alitalia’s broader domestic, European, and long-haul schedule. The airline was not positioned as an autonomous global carrier. Its commercial identity, scheduling, distribution, and alliance relationship were closely tied to Alitalia. Because Alitalia participated in SkyTeam from 2009 to 2021, Alitalia CityLiner held an affiliated relationship with the alliance through its parent rather than operating as an independent full alliance member. The company’s final period was shaped by Alitalia’s long-running financial problems. In August 2019, Alitalia and Alitalia CityLiner entered extraordinary administration after years of unprofitability. The Italian government fully owned Alitalia from 2020. On 15 October 2021, Alitalia and CityLiner both ceased operations as ITA Airways began operating in place of the former Alitalia structure. The available sources establish the operational end date but do not provide a reliable separate date for the final legal liquidation of Alitalia CityLiner.
- 2021
Operations end
[1]Alitalia CityLiner ceased operations on 15 October 2021 when ITA Airways replaced the former Alitalia operating structure.
- 2019
Placed under extraordinary administration
[1]Alitalia and Alitalia CityLiner entered extraordinary administration amid continuing financial losses and unprofitability.
- 2013
Embraer regional fleet delivery program completed
[1]A delivery program running from September 2011 to March 2013 provided the carrier with 20 Embraer 175 and Embraer 190 aircraft.
- 2011
Alitalia CityLiner rebrand
[1]The airline adopted the Alitalia CityLiner brand and became Alitalia’s only regional airline.
- 2009
Reconstituted after Air One–Alitalia merger
[1]Following the integration of Air One and Alitalia, Air One CityLiner was reincorporated as Alitalia CityLiner S.p.A.
- 2007
First international route
[1]The airline launched its first international service, connecting Turin with Paris-Charles de Gaulle.
- 2006
Air One CityLiner is founded and begins flying
[1]Air One established the regional airline in June 2006. It began operations on 7 June with Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft on domestic routes from Trieste and Genoa.
Products and positioning
A regional airline focused on short-haul connectivity and feeder services within the Alitalia network.
Passenger air transport · 2006
Regional passenger flights
The airline’s core product was scheduled regional passenger transportation. It used regional jet aircraft to operate domestic Italian routes and selected short-haul international services, connecting smaller or secondary markets with larger airports and Alitalia’s network.
Airline network connectivity
Alitalia network feeder services
CityLiner provided regional connectivity within Alitalia’s broader schedule. Its flights supported hub operations at Rome Fiumicino and Milan Linate and enabled passengers from regional destinations to connect with other domestic, European, and longer-distance services marketed through Alitalia.
Regional jet operations · 2011
Embraer E-Jet regional services
During its later operating period, the airline used Embraer 175 and Embraer 190 aircraft. The E-Jet fleet supported the carrier’s short-haul schedule and replaced the earlier Bombardier CRJ-900 equipment as the principal aircraft family associated with its operations.
Brand decisions
2021
Cessation of operations during transition to ITA AirwaysStrategyBackground
The Italian aviation group was reorganized after the administration of Alitalia and the creation of ITA Airways.
Action taken
Alitalia CityLiner ceased operating on 15 October 2021 at the same time as Alitalia.
Aftermath
ITA Airways replaced the former Alitalia operating structure, ending CityLiner’s active airline operations.
2019
Entry into extraordinary administrationOtherBackground
Alitalia and its regional subsidiary faced prolonged financial losses and unprofitability.
Action taken
Both companies were placed under Italy’s extraordinary administration regime.
Aftermath
The administration preceded the eventual end of the Alitalia operating structure and the transfer of replacement operations to ITA Airways.
2011
Adoption of the Alitalia CityLiner brandStrategyBackground
Alitalia sought to consolidate its regional-airline role after the Air One integration and the earlier use of Alitalia Express for similar operations.
Action taken
The carrier was rebranded Alitalia CityLiner and became Alitalia’s sole regional airline.
Aftermath
The airline operated as an integrated regional component of Alitalia, supported by a new Embraer regional-jet fleet delivered through March 2013.
2009
Reincorporation following Air One and Alitalia integrationM&ABackground
Air One and Alitalia were merged under the Alitalia brand, requiring the Air One CityLiner subsidiary to be reorganized within the new group structure.
Action taken
Air One CityLiner S.p.A. was reincorporated as Alitalia CityLiner S.p.A.
Aftermath
The regional carrier continued operating as part of the Alitalia network and was later formally rebranded under the Alitalia CityLiner name.
Recent events
- 2021
Alitalia CityLiner ceases operations as ITA Airways begins[1]
M&A · Bankruptcy
Alitalia CityLiner stopped operating on 15 October 2021, at the same time as Alitalia, as ITA Airways replaced the former operating structure.
- 2019
Alitalia and Alitalia CityLiner enter extraordinary administration[1]
Bankruptcy · Regulation
The parent and regional subsidiary were placed under extraordinary administration following prolonged financial difficulties and unprofitability.
- 2011
Alitalia CityLiner becomes Alitalia’s sole regional airline[1]
Product generation
The carrier adopted the Alitalia CityLiner brand and assumed the group’s principal regional-airline role, previously associated with Alitalia Express.
- 2009
Air One and Alitalia integration leads to CityLiner reconstitution[1]
M&A · Leadership change
After Air One and Alitalia were merged under the Alitalia brand, Air One CityLiner was reincorporated as Alitalia CityLiner S.p.A.
- 2007
Air One CityLiner opens its first international route[1]
Product launch
The regional airline expanded internationally with a route connecting Turin and Paris-Charles de Gaulle.
- 2006
Air One CityLiner begins regional operations[1]
Product launch
The newly established Air One CityLiner started flying domestic routes, including services between Trieste and Rome Fiumicino and between Genoa and Naples.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/alitalia-cityliner · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled