Air Vallée to Establish Base in Parma

Italian regional carrier Air Vallée has confirmed it will open an operational base at Parma Giuseppe Verdi Airport in spring 2012, where three newly acquired Embraer E-Jets will be stationed. The airline is currently finalising its proposed network plans from the Italian city but revealed it will launch flights this winter to Paris CDG as a pre-cursor to the base opening.

The link to the French capital will operate for a two week period between December 21 and January 8, 2012 to support the strong the strong demand over the Christmas and New Year period. The flight will be operated by a 50-seat Embraer ERJ 145. Air Vallée confirms that Paris CDG will be one of the destinations it will serve when the base opens in spring 2012.

Speaking at a press event to market the announcement, Michele Costantino, President, Air Vallée said: “This is not a decision which was taken lightly and the investment in the new aircraft and the base at Parma will be significant and valued in excess of $90 million. The central and well connected location of Parma Airport were critical factors in the decision.”

Sogeap SpA, the management company at Parma Airport has been working on bringing new routes to the facility for a long period. The region is densely populated and there are higher than average economic indicators in the catchment area when compared with the rest of Italy and wider European markets. There are also a high volume of enterprises as well as some of Italy’s most important head offices, particularly in the food and technology arena, in its vicinity.

“Air Vallée as a based carrier will be able to operate multiple destinations from Parma Airport,” explained Paul Whelan, the recently appointed Chief Executive Officer of Sogeap SpA. “We are now working together in partnership to explore the most viable new destinations. We welcome the decision to launch the based activity with the announcement of Paris Charles de Gaulle, a critical route for the catchment area in Italy and Europe considering the strong links with France and Paris.”