Lufthansa Group Acquires 41% Stake in ITA Airways

Lufthansa Group has officially acquired a 41% stake in ITA Airways, Italy's flag carrier, with the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance retaining 59%. This acquisition marks ITA Airways as the fifth network airline within the Lufthansa Group, which includes Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines. The integration will enhance cooperation through codeshare agreements, lounge access, and the eventual admission of ITA Airways into the Star Alliance. Carsten Spohr, CEO of Lufthansa, stated that this investment would strengthen the Italian and European aviation market and improve travel options for passengers. ITA Airways, launched in 2021, operates a fleet of 99 Airbus aircraft and serves nearly 70 destinations globally. Rome Fiumicino Airport will serve as the Group's southernmost hub, further expanding Lufthansa's presence in Italy, its second most important international market after the U.S.