Monza, ITA Airways “title sponsor” of the Centenary of the Autodromo

ITA Airways will be Title Sponsor of the Centenary of the Monza National Autodrome. The meaning of this important partnership was illustrated at the ITA Airways lounge, Piazza di Spagna, at Terminal E of the Leonardo da Vinci airport in Fiumicino, in a press conference attended by the President of the ACI, Angelo Sticchi Damiani, the President of CONI, Giovanni Malagò and the Executive President of ITA Airways, Alfredo Altavilla. The meeting with the media was preceded by the unveiling of the first ITA Airways aircraft with the logo for the 100th anniversary celebrations of Monza, an Airbus A330 in new blue livery dedicated to Tazio Nuvolari, the "flying Mantuan", universally considered one of the most great drivers of all time.

Known throughout the world as "The Temple of Speed", the Monza Autodromo is the second oldest facility in the world still in operation - the only one where Formula 1 races are still held - and is considered the fastest track, as well as one of the most spectacular and challenging of the entire World Championship. To celebrate this incredible century of great sport, three planes with a new blue livery from the ITA Airways fleet will wear the Autodromo Celebrations Logo: in addition to the Airbus A330 dedicated to Tazio Nuvolari, two other Airbus A319s in the fleet bearing the name of Alberto Ascari, two-time Formula 1 World Champion (1952 and '53, both on Ferrari), Michele Alboreto (vice-F1 world champion in 1985, on Ferrari).

The great news of ITA Airways will also be to dedicate the flagship of its fleet, the new Airbus A350, blue livery to the myth Enzo Ferrari - "the Drake" - legendary founder of the team of the same name, the most successful in the history of Formula 1 , with 31 world titles (16 Manufacturers, 15 Drivers). It is the first time ever that the man who changed the history of world motoring has a plane named after him, and only ITA could do it. A special thanks to the engineer Piero Ferrari and the management who allowed this to happen.

The A350 airbus of the ITA Airways fleet represents the maximum expression of technology, sustainability and innovation. It is the first time that the Flag Company has this aircraft in its fleet, moreover in 6 units. The name Enzo Ferrari will be written on a red background, which is also unique, because red and Ferrari are one thing, like ITA Airways and blue. The partnership between Enzo Ferrari and ITA Airways is natural: just as Ferrari innovated racing, ITA Airways wants to be a pioneer of innovation in air transport. And today ACI and the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, with the presence of CONI, have given the opportunity to make this bond concrete. The four planes in the blue livery of ITA Airways with the celebratory logo of the Monza racetrack are part of the Company's strategy of being alongside sport.

The “Enzo Ferrari” plane will be the ambassador to the world of our country's excellence, and its first flight will be special. In fact, at the next Monza Grand Prix in September it will fly over the Monza circuit and greet the starting grid. It will be a unique moment and will be an opportunity for great visibility of Italy on a global level. Furthermore, this very flight will be powered by SAF, the most environmentally friendly jet fuel in the world, because innovation and sustainability go hand in hand.

“With extraordinary sporting feats, which have become legendary – declared Angelo Sticchi Damiani, President of the Automobile Club of Italy, the Italian Federation of Motor Sport – Nuvolari, Ascari, Alboreto and, of course, Ferrari, have made generations of motorsport enthusiasts and fans from all over the world fly and meet. And it is precisely this ideal twinning between emotions - those of motor racing and those of flying - together with the sharing of fundamental values, common to sport and aviation - maximum professionalism, strong competitiveness, continuous technological innovation, great attention to the sustainable future - the idea behind this important partnership between ACI and ITA Airways. This year our pilots will fly together: the hope of all of us is that they will be able to lead ITA Airways and the Monza National Circuit towards an increasingly bright and fortunate future".

“We are proud – declared Giovanni Malagò, President of CONI – that ACI, through this prestigious partnership, strengthens the bond of our movement with ITA Airways. The celebration of the Centenary of the Monza Autodromo and the attribution of the naming of four aircraft to timeless figures and interpreters, capable of legendary feats, enhances the importance of the history of motoring and the fundamental activity promoted by the Federation for its development. The national airline – added Malagò – recognizes, once again, the value of Italian sport as an expression of the country's excellence, making it fly around the world in the name of collective pride. A winning synergy to reach ever further, ever higher."

“Monza is the Italian Grand Prix and the Compagnia di Bandiera couldn't not be there, with ACI it's a natural partnership, we are both ambassadors of the best Italy in the world.” Said Alfredo Altavilla, Executive President of ITA Airways. “Even more so for the centenary anniversary of the circuit. It is the first time that the Compagnia di Bandiera is present at the Italian Grand Prix and this partnership, thanks to ACI, strengthens the union between ITA Airways and sport. After the planes named after various sportsmen, here are those dedicated to four figures who wrote the history of Italian motoring, with the exclusive plane named after Enzo Ferrari. Just as he innovated racing, we want to be pioneers of innovation in aviation. With conviction and determination we are changing paradigms that have long been consolidated in the sector, because we know that the greatest opportunities come precisely from discontinuity that we must be able to make the most of. And that's what we're doing."

“When we launched the Centenary logo at the Dubai Expo – underlined Ludovico Fois, Head of Communication and Advisor for External and Institutional Relations of ACI – we have set ourselves the objective of giving great international prominence to the history of the Circuit and, above all, to its future. The choice of ITA Airways as Title Sponsor of the Centenary is a fundamental step in this journey, made possible by the presence of strong shared values ​​and the desire to transmit the passion for sport and Italian energy to the world. The chosen slogan – “This year, our pilots will fly together” – perfectly embodies this ideal union, uniting our two worlds in an exciting common narrative.