While most people affiliate Fiat with ground vehicles, it once had a strong hand in Italian aviation. During some of the most influential years in flight, it created several small aircraft types. It also owned an airline in the form of Avio Linee Italiane (ALI).
International beginnings
Italy had a slow start to commercial aviation compared to its European counterparts. In the 1920s, there was a series of carrier launches, but it was only Fiat’s ALI that wasn’t supported by the state.
ALI first started flying in May 1928. Early services were between Rome, Italy and Munich, Germany. At the turn of the 1930s, it held seven Fokker F.VIIs as it grew its network across Europe. By the end of its first full decade in operation, it held DC-2, Fiat G.18, and Savoia-Marchetti units.
Unlike its fellow Italian airlines, ALI managed to keep some sort of service going during World War II. It flew from Italy to fellow Axis power Germany. Nonetheless, the airline also took part in the conflict, as it was incorporated into the Regia Aeronautica (Royal Italian Air Force).
Fatal crash
There was a notable accident involving an ALI Fiat G.212 on May 4th, 1949. The plane had a tragic crash in Torino, Piedmont.
The Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives notes that the three-engined plane was carrying the Torino AC football team back to its home city from Lisbon after a friendly match in Portugal. However, as it descended during poor visibility amid harsh weather conditions, the pilot didn’t realize that he was flying low. Subsequently, the aircraft hit Mount Superga, causing fatalities to all 31 people on board.
Post-war transitions
After WWII, mainland European aviation saw significant investment from international players, overhauling the industry. For Instance, Trans World Airlines (TWA) and British European Airways (BEA) supported the Italian industry with vital financing. From this cash injection, Aerolinee Italiane Internazionali (Alitalia) and Linee Aeree Italiane (LAI) came about.
During this period, ALI was going through its own changes. It merged with two other independent airlines, Airone and Transadriatica, to create ALI – Flotte Riunite. This new venture operated the G.12/G.212 and C-47 to the likes of Brussels, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Prague, Vienna, Barcelona, and Athens. However, the merger didn’t last long after its formation in 1949. ALI-Flotte Riunite faced liquidation in 1952 and was then snapped up by LAI.
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A new beginning
In 1957, LAI would also merge with Aerolinee Italiane Internazional. The Alitalia name would remain part of this new business, becoming a mainstay in Italian aviation until 2021.
“Alitalia merged with LAI and became Alitalia – Linee Aeree Italiane with 3000 employees and a fleet of 37 aircraft. In the international airline company rankings, Alitalia jumped from 20th to 12th place.” – Alitalia.
Thus, Italy’s industry was refreshed, and it got off to a strong start in the new generation. The following decade of the 1960s would see a series of progressions for the new outfit, which was symbolized by the jet age.
Italy’s market has once again gone through another transformation amid the launch of ITA. This airline has replaced Alitalia as the national carrier of the country. Nonetheless, ALI played its part in this ongoing journey of Italian aviation.
What are your thoughts about ALI and the history of the Italian aviation industry? What do you make of the journey over the years? Let us know what you think in the comment section.
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