Carsten Spohr, Deutsche Lufthansa AG’s chief executive officer, has announced that Brussels has approved the acquisition of a minority stake in ITA Airways (Italia Trasporto Aereo S.p.A.). This decision marks a significant milestone for both ITA Airways and Lufthansa, especially for passengers flying to and from Italy.

A New Member of the Airline Family

With the EU Commission’s approval under competition law, Deutsche Lufthansa AG can now acquire a 41 percent stake in ITA Airways. The investment, agreed upon in May 2023, will be completed through a capital increase of 325 million euros. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024.

After closing, ITA Airways will become the fifth network airline to be closely integrated with the Lufthansa Group while retaining its brand name. ITA Airways will utilize numerous synergies in worldwide sales, the loyalty program Miles & More, and aircraft and fuel purchasing as part of the multi-hub, multi-airline, and multi-brand system established by the Lufthansa Group.

Strengthening the Economic Situation

This integration will strengthen and further develop ITA Airways’ economic situation. Italy will become the Lufthansa Group’s fifth “home market,” making it the Group’s second-largest market in terms of revenue after Germany and the USA. Italy is already the company’s second most important market outside its home markets after the USA.

Swift Integration and Expansion

Lufthansa Group and ITA Airways are jointly planning a swift integration. ITA Airways, with its almost 5,000 employees, will make the Lufthansa Group’s corporate culture even more international and diverse. Rome-Fiumicino will become the Lufthansa Group’s sixth and geographically southernmost hub.

Immediately after the closing, the route networks will be linked with each other through code sharing, creating over 1,000 new transfer options. This will provide many more options to destinations in South America, North Africa, and the Middle East, in particular.

A Focus on Quality and Premium Approach

ITA Airways focuses on quality and a premium approach with an Italian service culture. Members of its existing loyalty program “”Volare”” will also be able to collect or use their miles with Miles & More from the first day after the closing. ITA Airways is aiming to join the Star Alliance in the near future.

A Strong and Successful Part of the Lufthansa Group

Carsten Spohr says: “”The acquisition of ITA Airways strengthens the internationalization of the Lufthansa Group. We offer our guests a significantly greater choice of connections and destinations, and with the 5-star hub in Rome, we are also extending our premium offering and better connecting strategic future markets south of the equator to our network.””

The integration of ITA Airways into the Lufthansa Group’s airline network will start with the closing. The authorities’ approval enables cooperation between ITA Airways and Lufthansa Group on a commercial and operational level from the date of closing of the transaction.

ITA Airways was founded in November 2020, started its operations on 15 October 2021, and currently has around 4,860 employees. Based in Rome, the airline carried almost 15 million passengers last year and has a modern fleet of 96 Airbus aircraft. The hub in Rome offers ideal conditions for expanding the joint route network towards Africa and Latin America, thus providing customers with improved connections to the southern hemisphere. ITA Airways currently serves a total of 69 destinations.