The Italian airline ITA Airways is now a member of the Lufthansa Group. The Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and Europe’s leading aviation group finalised the transaction on January 17, granting the Lufthansa Group a 41% stake in ITA Airways. The remaining 59% of the airline will initially remain under the ownership of MEF.
The agreement for Deutsche Lufthansa AG to acquire a minority 41% stake in ITA Airways was originally reached in May 2023. On November 29, 2024, the European Commission gave its approval, endorsing the transaction by accepting certain proposed remedies. Subsequently, other competition authorities outside the EU have also approved the arrangement.
This implementation of the first phase of investment was carried out through a capital increase of €325 million (US$338) million. Additionally, the Lufthansa Group and MEF have agreed on options for acquiring the remaining shares in ITA Airways, which can be exercised starting this year. With this transaction, ITA Airways officially becomes part of the Lufthansa Group, serving as the Group’s fifth network airline.
Italy is now an additional “home market” for the Lufthansa Group, reinforcing its presence in a country that is already its second most important international market after the United States, excluding its existing home markets of Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Belgium. The prestigious Rome Fiumicino Airport, recognised as a five-star Skytrax hub, becomes the Group’s sixth and southernmost hub. Milan Linate Airport, a vital metropolitan hub located in the economically robust region of northern Italy, will also play a key role, with its catchment area ranking as the second largest in the EU.
ITA Airways is a young, dynamic airline that has been steadily expanding since its operations commenced in 2021. Its modern and environmentally conscious fleet, composed entirely of Airbus aircraft, currently consists of 99 planes. This includes 22 long-haul aircraft such as the Airbus A350-900, Airbus A330-900neo and A330-200 models. ITA Airways serves nearly 70 destinations worldwide, with Rome Fiumicino and Milan Linate as its primary bases. In 2024, the airline welcomed approximately 18 million passengers aboard its flights.
