He showed up at the airport slightly early , ready to fly from Linate to Cagliari as he does every month . A discounted ticket : the territorial continuity system requires that the discounted prices reserved for residents of Sardinia are to be extended – during the low season – also to those traveling for work reasons. "When the boarding gate opened, later than scheduled, I was asked for a document that could demonstrate the reason for my trip ," says Daniele Mascia, a doctor from Cagliari who lives in Milan and periodically returns to Sardinia , where he collaborates with some professional firms. He begins an argument with the ground staff of Aeroitalia, who asked for a paper "proof". So he moves to have the document printed in an airport lounge , but is left on the ground . A story similar to that of dozens of other passengers, in these first weeks of territorial continuity branded Aeroitalia.
Some people report problems with passports – where often the residence is not updated and therefore it is not possible to demonstrate the right to the discounted rate – and others complain about the waiting times at the call center, a mandatory stop for all travelers who need to change their ticket. Woe betide those who want to try a last-minute trip: flights disappear from the company's website and app – therefore they cannot be purchased – three hours before the scheduled take-off. And they can be purchased at the airport but with a 20 euro commission.
The CEO of Aeroitalia, Gaetano Intrieri, responded to the protests and controversies, speaking of an "excellent balance" for the first days of service with flight punctuality, with the exception of one cancellation, exceeding 90%. He therefore spoke of "unjust complaints" and specified: "Everything can be improved: the hope is to always do better".
