Neos, Italy’s second largest airline, has appointed WEILL as its public relations counsel of record in the United States. The appointment comes in the wake of the airline having received official approval from the US Department of Transportation to operate scheduled passenger flights to and from New York. Twice-weekly “Covid-Tested” flights will begin in the second half of June 2021, connecting New York with Milan.

“Founded in 2002, Neos boasts the youngest airline fleet in Europe, including six latest-generation Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, arguably the world’s most comfortable and advanced aircraft,” says WEILL founder and CEO, Geoffrey Weill, “and we are honored to have been selected.”

The approval for flights from JFK to Milan will allow Neos to expand its portfolio of routes, continuing the growth path that in 2019 led it to carry two million passengers with a turnover of $563 million. Neos operates scheduled service with more than 50 routes throughout Italy, as well as to Africa, the Caribbean, China, Egypt, Greece, Iceland, Israel, Jordan, the Maldives, Mexico, Oman, Spain and Thailand.

“Neos has joined the IATA Travel Pass program,” says Geoffrey Weill, “a digital passport to facilitate and speed up all boarding and disembarkation procedures. Before they fly, passengers just upload Covid test results and vaccination certificates, via a simple QR code on their smartphones.” In 2022, Neos plans to increase New York flights, and to add additional US gateways.

During the worst moments of the coronavirus pandemic, Neos flew hundreds of rescue and humanitarian flights, repatriating more than 40,000 travelers to 68 countries, including the US. Neos’ cargo flights have transported over 4,000 tons of masks, lung ventilators, respirators, gloves, diagnostic kits, personal protective equipment and vaccines.