NOTE: This story has been updated after additional information was received.

Alitalia has closed its Johannesburg-Rome route according to a recent Board of Airline Representatives South Africa (Barsa) update on the operational status of its member airlines in South Africa.

The airline’s direct flights between Johannesburg and Rome have been removed from the GDS and those flights also do not appear to be loaded on its website.

However director of Discover the World, Sabrina Allcock, which represents the airline in South Africa, said the following: “Alitalia have suspended services to and from South Africa until such time as it becomes commercially viable for them to resume the Rome to Johannesburg route - much like other airlines currently. I cannot emphasise more that the situation is only as a result of the global Coronavirus pandemic.”

Tourism Update understands that Alitalia is offering unflown ticket holders full refunds or re-accommodation vouchers. Emnquiries can be directed to Alitalia’s call centre.