Noman (airline)
Noman was a charter and later a scheduled airline based in Italy. After attempting scheduled connections it had to give in to a more aggressive competitor.
History
It was founded in Rome in early 1994 as a subsidiary of Fortune Aviation to operate charter flights to tourist destinations in Europe and North Africa with a pair of Douglas DC-9 series 15 aircraft. It also operated executive flights with four Cessna Citation aircraft and an Agusta A.109C helicopter. The company was led by sole director Dr. Massimo Mattarei and general manager pilot Giulio La Starza (with previous experience at Unifly and Fortune Aviation). Flight operations began in December. In the first two years, revenues exceeded 20 billion Liras, with a positive financial result.
A couple of years later, it entered the market as an airline with low fares and no frill services. Nevertheless, its offerings were aimed at business travelers, always keen to save on airport waiting times. Boarding was permitted up to 10 minutes before departure. Furthermore, check-in procedures could be completed by phone, and a shuttle bus was available to Ciampino train station and the nearest underground station. Finally, free car parking was available at Ciampino airport.
After securing the necessary positions and flight slots, scheduled flights began between December 20, 1995, and January 22, 1996, with 12 daily flights between Rome-Ciampino and Linate airport in Milan, at the lowest fares at the time. Regular flights to Palermo, Catania, Olbia, and Bologna were subsequently opened.
Nonetheless, scheduled flights ceased in February 1997, for a reason announced shortly thereafter: effective March 1, the transfer of routes, fleet, and crews to Air One, a competitor that had proven more competitive on the Rome-Milan route.
Further reading
- M. & S. Iarossi (curators), Compagnie Aeree (in Italian language), EDAI, Firenze, 1995/96 issue
- "World Airline Directory 1997", Flight International weekly magazine, U.K.
- G. D'Avanzo, Deregulation, "Armi e Politica" no. 5, Casa Editrice Nuove Ricerche, Ancona, 1996