Airidea launches new regional connections
AIRIDEA is born, a new Italian regional aviation reality designed to make travel between cities in the country that are currently poorly connected or without adequate direct flights easier and faster. The project aims to build a network of point-to-point connections between economic centers and tourist destinations, with the aim of reducing time and complexity in transfers within Italy.
Based at Genoa Airport (GOA), AIRIDEA caters to both business and leisure traffic, through a flexible operating model based on small and medium-capacity aircraft, high frequencies and short journey times. The service is designed not only to facilitate travel between Italian cities, but also to encourage new international tourist flows, allowing foreign visitors to reach several destinations in the same trip and to move quickly between different territories.
Flight sales for AIRIDEA's 2026 summer season open today. The initial network will become operational on 8 June with connections between Alghero, Bergamo, Bologna, Florence, Genoa, Olbia and Trieste. Starting June 28, AIRIDEA plans to introduce new destinations and adapt routes based on demand. Flights are available for the Summer Season 2026 - from June 8 to October 24, 2026.
The company also points out that it is the first air transport company to introduce direct connections from Genoa to Trieste, Venice, Bergamo and Florence and back, significantly expanding the connectivity of the Ligurian territory and offering new options to both individuals and companies that need services that are more suited to their needs.
For the start of operations, AIRIDEA will use a 34-seat Saab 340 B, chosen to respond to the high demand recorded on the routes and ensure greater capacity per rotation. In the coming months, the BAE Jetstream 32s will also enter service. In this initial phase, the AIRIDEA routes will be operated for the summer season by the Maltese carrier Luxwing.
AIRIDEA
According to the company, AIRIDEA was created to fill a gap in national air transport: more than 70% of Italian regional routes would not be served by adequate direct connections today.
The model chosen is flexible and scalable, based on direct flights with an average duration of about 45 minutes per route, designed to make travel faster and more efficient.
The company's development plan envisages the achievement of 3 operational hubs by 2028, a fleet of up to 12 aircraft, an estimated traffic of about 245,000 passengers per year.
Leading the project is Gian Marco Vivado, CEO of AIRIDEA and commercial pilot, as well as CEO of ATES Italiana Srl, with over 30 years of experience in the Aviation Technical Equipment Supply sector. The role of Managing Director is entrusted to Gaetano Rizzi, a pilot officer with over 25,000 flight hours, with experience in the Air Force, in missions in Antarctica and as Alitalia commander on MD-80, MD11, B777 and A320. The role of Chief Commercial Officer is held by Lillo Lentini, active in the private jet and business aviation market, with an international network of corporate and UHNWI customers in the luxury travel sector.
