SISA at 100: a lesser-known chapter of the Cosulich’s history

Not everyone knows that the roots of today’s ITA Airways trace back to a company that was once part of the Cosulich Group.

In the 1920s, alongside the revival of shipping activities led by the Cosulich family, SISA (Società Italiana Servizi Aerei) was founded, marking the Group’s early entry into the aviation sector. At a time when air travel was still in its infancy, SISA operated some of the first commercial routes in Italy, connecting Trieste, Venice, Milan and Turin, and expanding towards destinations across the Adriatic.

In April 1926, SISA inaugurated its first regular flight, opening a new chapter in mobility and positioning itself among the pioneers of civil aviation in the country. What began with just two aircraft soon evolved into a structured network of connections, reflecting the same entrepreneurial spirit that had already driven the Group’s development at sea.

After the interruption caused by the war, operations resumed in 1947, when SISA was among the companies authorised to restart commercial air services. The Cosulich family supported this new phase by acquiring and converting aircraft for civil use, contributing to the relaunch of air connections and the reopening of key infrastructures, including the airport of Gorizia. New international routes were also explored, with connections planned across Central and Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean.

SISA continued its operations until May 1949, when it merged into Avio Italian Lines, later known as ALI – Flotte Riunite, becoming part of the broader evolution of the Italian aviation system that would eventually lead to today’s national airline.

A century after its first flight, this story remains a testament to the Group’s ability to look beyond its core business, exploring new sectors and anticipating future developments.