Alitalia has appointed Alessio Vinci with immediate effect as Senior Vice President Corporate Communications, reporting to the airline's Chairman and acting CEO Luca Cordero di Montezemolo.

At Alitalia Mr. Vinci will oversee media relations, headed by Clemente Senni, internal communications, domestic and international PR, corporate events, production of in-flight magazine 'Ulisse' where he is Editorial Director, plus corporate and social responsibility.

The 48 year old spent more than four years at Mediaset where he worked in a range of on-screen roles, including the host of Canale 5's 'Matrix' news and current affairs programme.

Alessio worked for 18 years at CNN, most recently as Rome Bureau Chief. He also covered the second Gulf War in Iraq, the war against the Taliban in Afghanistan and reported from New York's Ground Zero in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks against the USA.

He was Belgrade Bureau Chief for two years during the war in the Balkans and reported extensively throughout Europe.

Prior to joining Alitalia Alessio worked in Corporate Communications for Banca Sistema in Milan and before that he was part of the launch team for Agon TV in Albania.

Alessio is married with two young children, among his interests are football, horse-riding and cooking.