Exciting news in the aviation industry as ITA Airways of Italy officially joins forces with the prestigious Lufthansa Group as its fifth network airline. The Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) successfully sealed the deal with Lufthansa Group on January 18, 2025. This groundbreaking agreement sees Lufthansa Group securing a 41% ownership stake in ITA Airways, with the MEF retaining the remaining 59%.

After initially agreeing in May 2023 that Lufthansa Group would acquire a minority share in ITA Airways, the European Commission granted its preliminary approval following the acceptance of proposed remedies on November 29, 2024. Approval from competition authorities beyond the European Union has also been obtained, signaling a significant milestone in the partnership.

The collaboration kickstarted with a capital injection of €325 million, paving the way for Lufthansa Group and MEF to explore options for acquiring the remaining shares in ITA Airways, starting this year. “With our investment, we are set to fortify the Italian and European aviation landscape,” expressed Carsten Spohr, the CEO of Lufthansa Group. “Our global passengers will soon enjoy enhanced services and seamless connections as early as this summer flight schedule.”

In light of this strategic alliance, the newly appointed CEO of ITA Airways, Joerg Eberhart, is poised to steer the airline towards future growth. Accompanying him is Lorenza Maggio, who will assume the role of Chief Strategy and Integration Officer, joining the Board of Directors of ITA Airways. Michael Trestl completes the trio, stepping into the role of ITA Implementation Officer.

Lufthansa Group’s vision for ITA Airways includes bolstering its connectivity strategy, particularly by enhancing the number of connecting passengers through Rome’s Fiumicino Airport (FCO), the airline's primary hub. “Italy will now serve as another key market for the Lufthansa Group,” highlighted Spohr. “Already the second most vital international market after the USA, Italy will house the sixth and southernmost hub within the Lufthansa Group at Rome Fiumicino Airport.”

Looking ahead, the expansion and growth of the Lufthansa Group will prioritize regions in South America and Africa. ITA Airways is geared to launch direct flights from Rome to Bogotá in Colombia, in a bid to bolster connectivity with South America. The carrier also plans to increase flight frequencies to various Brazilian cities, complementing its existing services to Sao Paulo (GRU) and Rio de Janeiro (GIG). Furthermore, efforts are underway to enhance connections to the US network from Eastern Europe.

This collaboration marks an exciting chapter in aviation, promising enhanced services, broader connectivity, and increased opportunities for global travelers. Stay tuned for more updates on this transformative partnership between ITA Airways and Lufthansa Group.