Conferenze e Fiere

📍 China's state-owned Comac aims to achieve European certification this year to challenge the Boeing and Airbus duopoly. Comac's C919, already in domestic use by Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines, will start its first regular commercial route outside mainland China from Shanghai to Hong Kong this month. By 2026, the single-aisle C919 is planned to fly in Southeast Asia, aligning with President Xi Jinping's vision for China's technological value chain ascent.

🕊 The official year of the Jubilee began with the opening of the Holy Door on Christmas Eve. Basilicata, Italy, launched a project named "Giubileo 2025 Pellegrini di Speranza – Basilicata, terra di fede e devozione." Rome expects 30 million pilgrims and features an exhibition and a multimedia installation. Apt Basilicata's General Director, Antonio Nicoletti, highlighted the region's sacred places. A dedicated website, www.basilicatasacra.it, went live on December 24, providing information on Basilicata's spiritual locations.

🏁 MSC Crociere announces three title sponsorships for the Formula 1® World Championship 2025: Austrian Grand Prix (June 27-29, Red Bull Ring, Spielberg), United States Grand Prix (October 17-19, Austin, Texas), and São Paulo Grand Prix (November 7-9, Interlagos, Brazil). As global partners since 2022, this marks their first historic naming association with these events. Additionally, the luxury brand Explora Journeys will feature at the Monaco Grand Prix 2025, with Explora II ship providing exclusive VIP events.

🎨 Following the coronation of a new king in 2024, the UK announces a calendar of major events for 2025 across culture, cinema, exhibitions, and historical anniversaries. Bradford becomes the first UNESCO City of Film and the culture capital. In spring, the William Shakespeare museum opens at Shoreditch's Curtain Playhouse. Summer sees the reopening of Leicester's Jewry Wall Museum and London's British Museum launches the “Gladiators of Britain” exhibit. Jane Austen's 250th birth anniversary will be celebrated in 2025 at various novel settings. Music highlights include Oasis touring Cardiff, Manchester, London, and Edinburgh; Kylie Minogue's Tension Tour hitting Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, London, Nottingham, and Birmingham; Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan performing in Manchester, Liverpool, Nottingham, and London, where Coldplay will also play.

✈ Universal Air will connect Rimini Airport to Munich and Malta with two weekly flights from June 5 to October 23, 2025, using a 78-seat Dash 8-400. The service meets both incoming needs from Germany and outgoing to Malta, as stated by the CEO of Rimini airport, Leonardo Corbucci. Further German market developments with charter flights for 2025 will be announced soon. Rimini joins the Universal Air network, already servicing locations including Ibiza, Nice, Santorini, and more.

🏕 Italian tourism targets high-spending markets like the UAE, promoting "Le meraviglie turistiche dell'Italia e le Olimpiadi invernali di Milano Cortina 2026" at Abu Dhabi's 'Tour Mondiale Vespucci e Villaggio e Italia'. This initiative is backed by the Ministry of Tourism and organized by Enit. Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè notes the positive trend from Gulf countries, with Enit aiding Italian businesses to seize opportunities through promotions and strategic partnerships.

🏕️ Msc World Cruise 2027 sales start, offering a 121-night itinerary aboard Msc Musica. The cruise touches 45 destinations across 25 countries on five continents, with seven overnight stays. Equator crossed twice, embarkation from Rome (Civitavecchia) on January 5, Genoa on January 6, Marseille on January 7, and Barcelona on January 8, 2027. The voyage includes South America, Ushuaia, Pacific landscapes, Australasia, Hawaii, the US West Coast, and returns via Panama Canal with Caribbean stops.

🎊 Celebrate New Year's Eve 2024 in Olbia, Sardinia with Moby as they partner with the city for a concert featuring Pinguini Tattici Nucleari and Boomdabash. Moby offers a special voyage aboard Fantasy, departing Livorno at 10 pm on December 30th and returning from Olbia on January 1st at 10 pm, with an option for 'late check-out' until 10 am.

📅 Papa Francesco opened the Porta Santa, commencing the Giubileo and pilgrims have started arriving in Rome. A recent survey shows 84% of Romans content with recent inconveniences in anticipation of the event. Rome expects 32 million pilgrims, although higher-spending tourists may avoid the city, similar to the 2000 Jubilee. Forecasts for 2026 and 2027 are positive. Stakeholders from Federalberghi, Fiavet Lazio, and city officials emphasize long-term benefits and the importance of maintaining Rome's welcoming image for future gains.

✈ Aerolinee Siciliane aims to operate in Italian skies by May 2025 post capital increase last October. Acquired Air Connect, securing Air Operator Certificate, followed by 49% stake acquisition in Southern Aerotech, a Cosenza-based aviation maintenance and logistic support company. These steps could enable market operations by next spring.