Alitalia’s Johannesburg – Rome route is currently closed, according to a recent Barsa update on the operational status of its member airlines in South Africa.
The airline’s direct flights between Johannesburg and Rome have been removed from the GDS and those flights also do not appear to be loaded on its website. But the hiatus is a temporary one, according to Sabrina Allcock, director of Discover the World, which represents the airline in South Africa.
She said: “Alitalia has suspended services to and from South Africa until such time as it becomes commercially viable for the airline to resume the Rome to Johannesburg route - much like other airlines currently. I cannot emphasise more, that the situation is only as a result of the global Corona Virus pandemic.”
Discover the World continues to hold the airline’s GSA contract in South Africa and to represent the airline in an offline capacity at present, added Sabrina.
Alitalia is offering unflown ticket holders full refunds or re-accommodation vouchers and enquiries may be directed to Alitalia’s call centre.