Interview with Valeria Rebasti
As International Market Director, what are the main responsibilities and areas of expertise in your daily role?
I have had the privilege of being part of Volotea since its inception; my journey began in 2012, the year our first flight took off. Since then, I have held various leadership roles, initially as Commercial Country Manager Italy, then as Country Manager Italy & Southeastern Europe, directly contributing to the development of our network and operational bases. Over the years, I have witnessed Volotea evolve from a budding enterprise into a robust airline, recognized across Europe for its service quality and customer focus.
One of the most memorable moments in this journey was in May 2025 when we reached the milestone of 75 million passengers since our operations began. We celebrated this achievement with a symbolic and spectacular initiative at Olbia Airport, creating the world's largest welcome mat, officially entering the Guinness World Records.
Looking ahead, I am proud to continue this journey, building value for the regions we serve and the passengers who choose us, flight after flight".
Volotea reported record financial results for 2024. What is the airline's successful operational strategy?
Primarily, Volotea has developed a unique business model focused on connecting medium and small-sized European cities, often underserved by traditional air transport. This approach has allowed us to differentiate ourselves in a highly competitive sector, tapping into a genuine and growing demand.
Our strategy extends beyond route expansion; we consistently deliver excellent operational performance, with some of the highest punctuality and completion rates in Europe. This is complemented by impeccable service quality, recognized by both passengers and industry professionals. Our accolades include multiple international awards, such as the World Airline Awards by Skytrax in 2023 and 2024, and three wins as "Europe's Leading Low-Cost Airline" at the World Travel Awards in 2021, 2022, and 2024.
A significant strength lies in our deep-rooted presence in the regions we operate. We are more than just an airline; we are active partners in promoting the cultural and economic development of local communities. We believe our success is also measured by our ability to generate value for the areas we connect".
Over the past decade, Volotea has expanded its network and increased seat offerings. How many destinations and countries does your global network currently cover?
What new offerings does Volotea have for Summer 2025 in your global network?
"For Summer 2025, Volotea has introduced approximately 35 new routes across our network, the result of meticulous strategic planning designed to cater to a diverse range of traveler needs and profiles. We have considered those seeking classic seaside destination - ideal for relaxation and beach holidays, from the stunning Greek islands to the Andalusian coast and Italy's most picturesque shores - as well as those who prefer culturally rich vacations, exploring destinations abundant in art, culture, and local gastronomy".
How many operational bases do you have in Italy, and from which airports do you operate?
"Italy is Volotea's second most important market and plays a central role in our development plans. Currently, we have seven operational bases in Italy: Venice, our very first base, Verona, Florence, Naples, Palermo, Olbia, and the most recently inaugurated in Bari in 2024.
We operate from 23 Italian airports, spanning from the north to the south, including the islands. This extensive coverage allows us to connect over 55 European cities across eight different countries, offering a balanced mix of leisure routes and connections designed to support return and business traffic.
As of 2025, Volotea employs approximately 440 direct staff in Italy and generates over 2,500 indirect jobs nationwide, significantly contributing to the local economy.
Additionally, we foster strong ties with the regions we serve by collaborating with institutions, promoting cultural projects, and supporting educational and social initiatives. The most recent is the educational project "Tutti a Bordo!" aimed at primary schools in six Italian regions during the 2024-2025 academic year, designed to promote themes related to geography, civic education, and the value of mobility as a tool for knowledge and inclusion".
What are the new destinations for Summer 2025 in Italy?
"For Summer 2025, Volotea continues its thoughtful and consistent growth strategy in Italy. Each new route is the result of careful demand analysis and fits into a vision aimed at generating value for both travelers and the regions.
Starting in July, flights from Florence to Alghero will be available, offering an additional option to explore the wonders of Sardinia. Furthermore, this year we are connecting Alghero with two significant international destinations: Paris (Orly), operational since late March, and Bordeaux, available from July.
Palermo will see the introduction of flights to Bilbao and Heraklion, while from Salerno - a key point for international tourism from France - direct connections to Marseille and Lyon will commence. In Bari, our newest base, flights to Bordeaux and Kefalonia will be added, two destinations that blend cultural heritage with leisure appeal.
These routes are integral to our strategy of promoting new tourist flows, supporting both outbound tourism with convenient and direct travel solutions and inbound tourism, bolstering local economies and strengthening our connection with the territories we serve".
What types of aircraft comprise your fleet, and what onboard comfort do you offer?
"Our fleet consists of 41 Airbus aircraft, specifically A319 and A320 models, which strike the perfect balance between high operational performance, passenger comfort, and environmental sustainability. These aircraft enable us to optimize fuel consumption, reduce environmental impact, and simultaneously offer a pleasant and relaxed travel experience.
From the moment passengers board, they notice a spacious and well-designed cabin. The single-aisle Airbus A320 boasts one of the widest cabins available, with 18-inch-wide reclining seats arranged in rows that are 5% wider than the European average. Overhead bins are optimized, offering 40% more volume and the capacity to store 60% more luggage compared to previous generations of the same models.
Onboard, the experience is enhanced by our digital entertainment service. Through Wi-Fi connectivity, passengers can access our portal, play.volotea.com, which includes a wide selection of films, TV series, newspapers, music, and content tailored for children.
Additionally, we feature "Voices Onboard", announcements through which our staff shares insights and tips about the upcoming destination - from must-visit museums and ongoing events to updates on Volotea activities and onboard promotions".
What services enhance the passenger travel experience from booking to airport arrival? Do you utilize new technologies and artificial intelligence?
"Volotea has always embraced an innovative vision of the travel experience, striving to offer efficient and accessible service at every stage, from booking to post-flight. In this context, technology and artificial intelligence play a crucial role in making every interaction with the company smoother, more intuitive, and personalized.
Among our recent projects is "One Click Away", developed by ENAC in collaboration with IATA. The volotea.com website has been enhanced with easily recognizable elements and intuitive pathways designed to provide quick access to a dedicated section for individuals with disabilities, where they can find necessary information for planning their flight and other useful content.
In parallel, we have implemented intelligent solutions in customer service. For instance, we have introduced two key tools: Smart Coaching and an intelligent chatbot to support our call center operators. Smart Coaching is a constantly updated online training program designed to accelerate learning and efficiency, especially during peak periods. The chatbot offers 24/7 real-time support, assisting operators in effectively managing all types of inquiries, thereby improving the quality and speed of responses.
These tools have significantly enhanced our multichannel customer service, ensuring more effective management during seasonal peaks and greater passenger satisfaction.
This satisfaction is reflected in our results: with a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 39.2 across our network in 2024, Volotea ranks among the leading European airlines. In Italy, the score rises to 42.1. For 2025, we aim for an even more ambitious goal: reaching an NPS of 50 by continuing to invest in service quality and passenger satisfaction".
What additional benefits do travellers get when they decide to become a member of the Megavolotea or Megavolotea Plus Club?
"Megavolotea is our loyalty program designed for frequent travelers seeking to combine advantageous fares, flexibility, and an enhanced travel experience. Recently, we announced a significant milestone: over 800,000 members, marking a 23% increase compared to 2023. This growth signifies a continually expanding community that recognizes the tangible value of the benefits offered.
Members of Megavolotea and Megavolotea Plus enjoy a range of exclusive year-round advantages, including discounted flight purchases, priority boarding, the ability to bring a 10 kg cabin bag included in the price (which, if there's no space onboard, is checked in free of charge), and discounts of up to 25% on seat selection and up to 15% on checked baggage.
Additionally, members receive a €20 Volotea credit on their birthday and can change their flight dates as often as they like, paying only any fare differences. One of the most appreciated aspects of the program is that benefits extend to up to four companions per booking, making Megavolotea ideal not only for solo travelers but also for families and small groups".
What are Volotea’s future growth plans and objectives for delivering an ever-improving passenger experience?
"Volotea looks to the future with a clear and ambitious vision: we aim to continue growing as the reference airline for connecting small and medium-sized European cities - an underserved segment that still holds vast potential. In the medium term, we have identified over 1,100 potential routes across Europe, 70% of which currently have no direct competition, confirming that we are only at the beginning of a growth journey with substantial opportunities still ahead.
Our plan includes the gradual development of existing bases, the expansion of our network in markets where we are already present, and the opening of new destinations aligned with our mission. To support this strategy, we have developed an advanced system for monitoring route performance, which allows us to compare trends and results with previously launched routes. This approach enables us to precisely evaluate evolving demand and respond with agility and flexibility.
The potential is enormous: more than 65% of Europe’s approximately 510 million residents live in small and medium-sized cities - communities often forced to connect through major hubs to reach their final destinations.
Volotea is committed to changing this paradigm by offering direct, accessible, and high-quality connections, giving travellers across Europe back their time, comfort, and opportunities.
In summary, our future growth will be based on a sustainable, data-driven, and customer-focused expansion strategy. Our goal is to bring our value proposition to an ever-increasing number of regions, thereby contributing to a more inclusive and widespread air transport system".
Interview by Angela Trivigno
