AeroItalia (XZ, Rome Fiumicino) plans to hire former Alitalia employees as it launches its own ground-handling service at Rome Fiumicino from February 2026. Chief executive Gaetano Intrieri said the airline intends to prioritise about 2,000 ex-Alitalia workers impacted by the collective dismissals that took effect on November 1 and lost access to Italy’s wage guarantee funding under the CIGS (Casa integrazione guadangi straordinaria) scheme.

Launching the handling firm is seen as necessary as the company aims to grow its presence in Rome. In 2026, the carrier will add seven more aircraft and increase its daily number of flights, which “give us the wonderful opportunity to redeploy professionals in the sector who find themselves unemployed,” said Intrieri.