National passenger carrier Air India Friday started its maiden operations to Italy with direct flights on its fleet of newly-acquired Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

According to the airline, its operations will include flights from Delhi to Rome and Milan on a triangular route with Dreamliner aircraft. 

The Delhi-Rome-Milan-Delhi flight will operate four days a week, while the Delhi-Milan-Rome-Delhi flight will operate thrice a week.

"By offering direct services to Italy, Air India will be fulfilling a long-standing demand of not only Indians residing in Italy but also the travel and tourism industry," the airline said in a statement.

So far, passengers had to either opt for Alitalia or rely on other airlines  transiting through international hubs. 

The Air India's Dreamliner have been configured with two-class seating arrangements which can accommodate 18 business class and 238 economy class passengers.