Lufthansa Group closes deal to acquire 41% stake in ITA Airways

Lufthansa Group has closed its €325 million deal to acquire a 41% stake in ITA Airways, the company confirmed on January 17, 2025. The Italian airline is now officially part of the Lufthansa Group, becoming the group's fifth network airline. 

The group concluded the transaction with the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) on the day. MEF will continue to hold the remaining 59% in ITA. 

Both Lufthansa and ITA had agreed on the deal in May 2023, followed by the European Commission approving the remedies of the deal at the end of November last year. The deal was approved by other competition authorities outside the EU.

The first step of the investment was implemented with the closure of the deal with a capital increase of €325 million euros. Options for the acquisition of the remaining shares have been agreed between the Lufthansa Group and MEF. These options can be exercised from this year. 

“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,” said Deutsche Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr. “Our joint passengers worldwide will benefit from improved offers and optimised connections as early as this upcoming summer flight schedule.” 

Lufthansa said Italy will become a “home market” for the group, noting that the country is already the second most important international market after the US, outside of its existing home markets of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Belgium. 

The group said ITA will be “retained as a strong brand and developed further”, with ITA passengers able to collect points on either companies' respective loyalty programmes in a few weeks. Passengers using Lufthansa's Miles & More programme can also earn and redeem miles on ITA's flights. 

“Further collaborations, such as joint codeshare connections, mutual use of the respective lounges and the planned admission to the Star Alliance aviation alliance, are to follow successively,” the company said in a statement. 

In addition, Joerg Eberhart has been appointed as new CEO of ITA Airways. He is also a managing member of the board of directors for the airline. He will take over tasks previously performed by Antonino Turicchi and Andrea Benassi on an interim basis. 

Lorenza Maggio will take over the position of chief strategy and integration officer and will become a member of ITA's board of directors. Maggio will manage the development of the airline and be responsible for its integration into the Lufthansa Group. 

“With their extensive experience and expertise, they will continue ITA Airways' successful course and quickly integrate the airline into the Lufthansa Group,” said Spohr. 

Michael Trestl will be responsible for the holistic integration of ITA into the group, acting as the implementation officer, transferring from Austrian Airlines to the group's headquarters in Frankfurt. Trestl has been chief commercial officer and member of the executive board of Austrian Airlines since 2021.