Consul General Massimo Carnelos carried out his second visit to Seattle as part of his first tour of the Pacific Northwest, a region of growing importance for Italian economic and cultural cooperation.
During the visit, the Consul General met with Ben Minicucci, Chief Executive Officer of Alaska Airlines, to discuss areas of shared interest ahead of a significant development in transatlantic connectivity. On April 28, 2026, Alaska Airlines will launch a daily seasonal direct flight between Seattle and Rome, the carrier’s first nonstop service to Europe. The new route is expected to enhance travel, business exchanges, and cultural ties between Italy and the American Northwest.
Mr. Minicucci publicly announced the service during the opening night of Cinema Italian Style, presented by the Seattle International Film Festival in partnership with the Istituto Italiano di Cultura of San Francisco. The Consul General attended the event together with Alberta Lai, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute, and Honorary Consul Elisabetta Valentini, highlighting the value of cultural diplomacy and the role of the arts in strengthening international connections.
The Consulate General of Italy in San Francisco looks forward to supporting the promotion of this new air link and to further developing opportunities for Italian–American collaboration. The Consulate General extends its appreciation to Mr. Minicucci and the Alaska Airlines team, including Kate Geldaker and Megan Ouellette, for their engagement and cooperation.
