With the approved capital increase transaction of €325 million by Deutsche Lufthansa AG to ITA Airways, Lufthansa Group has finalized their acquisition of a 41 percent stake in Italian flag carrier.
On Saturday (January 18, 2025), Lufthansa Group announced the completion of the acquisition of a 41 percent stake in Italy’s flag carrier, ITA Airways, becoming the Group’s fifth network airline. The transaction was completed between Deutsche Lufthansa AG and the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) following an approved capital increase transaction of €325 million by Deutsche Lufthansa AG to ITA Airways. The remaining 59 percent equity in ITA Airways will continue to be held by MEF. This transaction was originally agreed to by the two parties in 2023, and was approved by the European Commission on November 29, 2024, following certain remedies related to market competition.
In Saturday’s announcement, Deutsche Lufthansa AG’s Chief Executive Officer, Carsten Spohr, said,
“We are proud to finally welcome ITA Airways to the Lufthansa Group. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this, especially in Rome, Brussels, Berlin and Frankfurt. 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. We look forward to continuing this success story of ITA Airways together. 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. Our joint passengers worldwide will benefit from improved offers and optimized connections as early as this upcoming summer flight schedule.
“I am delighted that we can appoint two managers from our own ranks to the management of ITA Airways: Joerg Eberhart and Lorenza Maggio. With their extensive experience and expertise, they will continue ITA Airways’ successful course and quickly integrate the airline into the Lufthansa Group. With Michael Trestl, an experienced airline manager will take over the integration task in the group.”
The Lufthansa Group retains the option to acquire the remaining shares in ITA Airways, which may be exercised from this year. With Saturday’s transaction, ITA Airways is now officially part of the Lufthansa Group. Italy, which is the Lufthansa Group’s second most important international market after the U.S., will now become a new ‘Home Market’ for the company, outside the existing home markets of Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Belgium. Italy’s five-star Rome Fiumicino Airport will become the company’s sixth and Southernmost hub, while Milan-Linate Airport in northern Italy will also play a prominent role in the Group.
ITA Airways will be retained as a strong and developing brand, and the Lufthansa Group and ITA will now conclude the first cooperation agreements for their passengers. Shortly, ITA Airways’ frequent flyers will be able to collect points or miles either in the Italian carrier’s existing ‘Volare’ program or the Lufthansa Group’s Miles & More loyalty program. Additionally, Miles & More members will have the opportunity to earn and redeem miles on ITA Airways flights. Further collaborations, including joint codeshare connections, mutual use of lounges, and the planned admission to the Star Alliance, will follow successively.
Italia Trasporto Aereo (ITA Airways) was founded in November 2020 as the new Italian national carrier. The airline is jointly owned by the Lufthansa Group (41 percent), and the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance (59 percent). Commencing operations in October 2021, the carrier operates a modern Airbus fleet comprised of 99 aircraft, including 22 long-haul Airbus A350-900s, A330-900neos, and A330-200s. The Italian carrier serves nearly 70 destinations worldwide, from their main hubs at Rome Fiumicino and Milan Linate airports.
Source: Lufthansa Group