Alitalia Logo PNG
The Alitalia logo, crafted in a contemporary design, symbolizes assurance of flight safety and excellent service standards. The emblem’s design and precision highlight the brand’s distinctive traits and showcase elements of national symbolism.
Alitalia was founded on September 16, 1946, after the merger of Ala Littoria and Linee Aeree Italiane under the name Aerolinee Italiane Internazionali, as part of efforts to rebuild Italy’s civil aviation after World War II.
The first commercial flight took place on May 5, 1947, from Turin to Rome aboard a Fiat G.12. In the same year, Savoia-Marchetti SM.95 aircraft began operating routes from Rome to Milan, Venice, Brussels, Paris, and South America.
In the 1950s, the airline expanded internationally, adding destinations such as Tehran, Cairo, and New York. In 1957, it introduced the Douglas DC-8, enabling longer, faster routes. In 1960, the company adopted the name Alitalia – Linee Aeree Italiane and extended its network to Tokyo and Johannesburg.
During the 1970s, economic pressure and competition led to financial difficulties, prompting the Italian government to partially nationalize the company. In the 1980s, the fleet was updated with aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and the McDonnell Douglas MD-80, alongside the expansion of European routes.
In the 1990s, Alitalia added Airbus A320 and Boeing 777 and joined the SkyTeam alliance in 1997. The 2000s brought rising costs and low-cost competition, leading to privatization in 2008 under CAI.
In 2014, Etihad Airways acquired a 49% stake for €1.76 billion, but losses continued. In 2017, the airline entered administration, supported by a €600 million government loan.
After failed attempts to sell to Ferrovie dello Stato and Lufthansa, the company was nationalized in 2020. Alitalia ceased operations on October 14, 2021, and was replaced by ITA Airways, which began flights the next day.
Meaning and History
The aviation giant used a shortened name for its logo, which it received some time after its establishment. The word “Alitalia” is a shortened version of AeroLinee ITALIANE, reflected in the logo. Throughout the brand’s history, five logo updates have been made.
What is Alitalia?
Alitalia was an airline that existed from 1946 to 2021. Previously, it was Italy’s largest carrier, operating both domestic and international flights and serving over 50 countries. In 2021, the company was closed, and its brand was transferred to ITA Airways.
1946 – 1969
The debut version of the Alitalia logo features a winged arrow, a symbol of unparalleled speed. The symbol is a figurative expression of “flying like an arrow,” which means very fast. The graphic symbol is in front of the name, set in a special font with slightly slanted uppercase letters, in short, straight lines.
1969 – 2010
Landor Associates developed this version of the Alitalia logo. Designers made green the primary color, replaced uppercase letters with lowercase, and used a red triangle instead of a horizontal bar in the letter “A.”
2010 – 2016
Representatives of the Saatchi & Saatchi agency, commissioned to update the logo, decided not to change the already stylish and popular emblem. Designers chose darker shades of red and green, reduced the triangle, and slanted the letter “A”.
2016 – 2018
This emblem version changes the font color to a lighter shade with a slight sparkle in the center. The size of the first letter was also increased, making it taller than all the other letters.
2018 – 2021
Designers reverted the emblem to the look of eight years ago, preserving the large letter “A” but eliminating the logo’s gradient fill.
FAQ
Is Alitalia the same as Ita?
Although Alitalia and ITA (Italia Trasporto Aereo) are not the same airline, they share a common heritage. After years of financial difficulties, the former Italian flag carrier, which began operations in 1946, ceased operations in late 2021.
After the company was shut down, ITA was established as a new state-owned Italian airline. ITA aims to avoid the financial problems that affected the former company and has taken over some of its assets, routes, and market positions. The company operates independently to maintain Italy’s role as the national carrier in the global aviation market. While the new company continues some of the former company’s functions, it seeks to establish its own identity in the aviation world.
Who designed the Alitalia logo?
In 2005, the advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi redesigned the Alitalia logo. This update refreshed the company’s image and brought it closer to Italy’s national identity. The logo adopted the Italian flag’s green, white, and red colors, underscoring the company’s status as the national airline. These colors were chosen to highlight the company’s pride in its Italian heritage and strengthen its connection to Italy.
The new design introduced in 2005 features a modern look while retaining elements that showcase its Italian origins. The logo underwent another update in 2015, emphasizing a modern, national look. Each version of the logo kept the Italian tricolor, making it easily recognizable as Italy’s national carrier. This branding approach helped the company remain well-known among Italians and global travelers, representing both tradition and modernity.
What is the code for Alitalia?
The former Italian national airline used the airline code “AZ” for booking, ticketing, and other aviation and travel tasks. The company operated with this code until it stopped services in October 2021. After the company ceased operations, ITA Airways became Italy’s main airline and used “AZ” to honor the former company’s legacy. The switch from the former company to ITA Airways is an important part of Italian aviation history.
What is the new name for Alitalia?
ITA Airways is the new name for the former Italian airline Alitalia. It operates as Italia Trasporto Aereo S.p.A., Italy’s national airline. The Italian government owns ITA Airways through the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The airline was founded in 2020 after the former company went bankrupt and ceased operations. ITA Airways aims to preserve the well-known traditions of its predecessor while modernizing its operations and services to improve efficiency.