Alitalia (AZA, Rome Fiumicino) and Etihad Airways (EY, Abu Dhabi International) will roll out enhanced connectivity between Italy and the United Arab Emirates with effect from March 29, 2015.

The move, part of the Emirati carrier's EC-sanctioned investment in the Italian carrier, will see Alitalia commence daily services from Milan Malpensa and Venice Marco Polo to Abu Dhabi International using a mixture of B777-200(ER) and A330-200 aircraft. Subject to the necessary government approvals, both services will operate as Etihad codeshares.

Additional services from Bologna and Catania are also expected to start in due course.