Frankfurt, Germany—The Lufthansa Group officially welcomed ITA Airways as its fifth network airline, finalizing the acquisition of a 41 percent stake in the Italian flagship carrier through a capital increase of 325 million euros. The transaction, concluded with Italy’s Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), sets the stage for deeper integration and expanded collaboration between the two aviation entities.
The agreement follows the European Commission’s approval in November 2024 and additional clearances from international competition authorities. Lufthansa’s investment comes with an option to acquire the remaining 59 percent of ITA Airways, which is still held by MEF, starting this year.
Carsten Spohr, CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, expressed enthusiasm for the acquisition, praising ITA Airways’ growth since its launch in 2021.
“The ITA Airways team has written an impressive success story in recent years and, with great energy, passion, and expertise, has built an airline that is already the pride of an entire nation,” Spohr said. “We look forward to continuing this success story together.”
Enhanced Services for Passengers
The integration promises immediate benefits for passengers. Joint programs, including shared loyalty rewards, are expected as early as the summer 2025 flight schedule. ITA Airways’ “Volare” loyalty program will align with Lufthansa Group’s “Miles & More,” allowing members to earn and redeem points across both networks.
Further plans include codeshare connections, mutual lounge access, and ITA’s anticipated membership in the Star Alliance network.
Rome Fiumicino, a Skytrax 5-star airport and ITA’s primary hub, will become Lufthansa Group’s sixth and southernmost hub. Milan Linate, situated in the economically robust northern region of Italy, will also play a key role in the group’s European operations. Italy is already Lufthansa’s second-largest international market after the United States.
Leadership and Fleet Expansion
As part of the integration, Joerg Eberhart has been named CEO of ITA Airways, succeeding interim leaders Antonino Turicchi and Andrea Benassi. Lorenza Maggio will assume the role of Chief Strategy and Integration Officer, while Michael Trestl, formerly of Austrian Airlines, will oversee the airline’s integration as ITA Implementation Officer.
ITA Airways boasts a modern fleet of 99 Airbus aircraft, including the long-haul A350-900, A330-900neo, and A330-200 models. The airline serves nearly 70 destinations globally, with approximately 18 million passengers flown in 2024.
Strategic Market Growth
The acquisition underscores Lufthansa’s commitment to strengthening its presence in the European aviation market. Spohr highlighted the strategic importance of Italy, noting its significance as the group’s largest international market outside of its core home markets in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Belgium.
“With our investment, we will now strengthen the Italian and European aviation market and the position of the Lufthansa Group as number one in Europe,” Spohr added.
The integration of ITA Airways is expected to boost connectivity, offering seamless travel experiences for customers worldwide, as the airline continues its expansion under Lufthansa’s leadership.
