SkyTeam has announced a new partnership with Italian rail operator Trenitalia – just two weeks after agreeing a similar intermodal deal with Eurostar.
The airline alliance has signed a memorandum of understanding with Trenitalia to offer its passengers access to destinations across Italy onboard the rail operator’s high-speed Frecciarossa train services. The deal was announced at the World Aviation Festival in Amsterdam on Tuesday (8 October).
The deal is part of Sky Team’s efforts to encourage intermodal travel by combining air and rail itineraries within a single reservation.
SkyTeam CEO Patrick Roux said: “We are delighted to join forces with Trenitalia as our second non-airline partner, strengthening SkyTeam’s intermodal travel strategy by offering more high-quality, high-speed rail connections - supporting our mission to future-proof travel.
“Italy is an important global market for business and leisure travellers, and with Trenitalia customers will have more choice and flexibility to go where they want to, how they want to, while enjoying the many benefits for which SkyTeam is known.”
Once the new partnership is established, SkyTeam’ s frequent flyers will be able to earn and spend their miles when travelling on eligible Frecciarossa rail journeys. While members of Trenitalia’s CartaFRECCI loyalty scheme can also “earn and burn” points on eligible flights on SkyTeam member airlines.
Currently, 14 SkyTeam members airlines fly to Italy from markets in Europe, the Americas, Middle East, Africa, Asia and China.
Trenitalia’s marketing director Mario Alovisi added: “Partnering with SkyTeam takes Trenitalia closer to our vision of being one of the leading players in the European rail transportation market, offering customers high-quality, reliable train travel that complements international flight schedules.”