Lufthansa Group will exercise its option to acquire a majority stake in ITA Airways, increasing its participation in the Italian carrier from 41% to 90%.
The German airline group said the acquisition of the additional 49% stake will take place in June for €325 million under terms agreed previously with Italy’s Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF).
The transaction still requires regulatory approvals, including clearance from the European Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice, with completion expected during the first quarter of 2027.
The Italian government will initially retain the remaining 10% stake in ITA Airways, which Lufthansa may also acquire in 2028.
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March 31, 2026
“Passengers already experience ITA Airways as an integrated part of the Lufthansa Group,” Lufthansa chief executive Carsten Spohr said during the company’s annual general meeting, citing the integration of booking systems, loyalty programs and lounge access.
Spohr added that Lufthansa had originally targeted completing the main integration steps within 18 months after acquiring its first stake in the Italian airline, but said the process had moved faster than expected.
Lufthansa first completed the purchase of a 41% participation in ITA Airways in January 2025 as part of a broader agreement signed with the Italian government in 2023.
Since then, the airline has progressively integrated ITA into several operational areas.
According to Lufthansa, ITA Airways’ cargo operation has also been incorporated into Lufthansa Cargo’s commercial structure since last year, adding capacity roughly equivalent to three Boeing 777 freighters.
Successor to Alitalia
ITA Airways emerged in 2021 as the successor to Alitalia after decades of financial crises involving Italy’s historic flag carrier.
Although legally established as a new company, ITA inherited much of Alitalia’s route network, aircraft and operational structure after the former airline ceased operations following years of bankruptcy proceedings and state intervention.
Founded in 1946, Alitalia underwent multiple restructurings and ownership changes over the decades, including periods under Air France-KLM and Etihad Airways partnerships, but repeatedly failed to achieve long-term financial stability.
The creation of ITA Airways marked the Italian government’s latest attempt to maintain a national airline while restructuring the operation under a smaller and more modern business model.
ITA Airways became the Lufthansa Group’s fifth network airline following the investment alongside Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines.
