ITA Airways Officially Enters into the Lufthansa Group

Photo source: ITA Airways

ITA Airways has officially joined the Lufthansa Group, marking a significant milestone for both the airline and Italy. This follows the acquisition of a 41 percent stake in ITA Airways by Deutsche Lufthansa AG, which was finalized after agreements made in June 2023.

Sandro Pappalardo, the new Chairman of ITA Airways, highlighted the achievement, stating that the airline has now earned the trust of a major industry player.

“A new chapter begins for the company which, in just three years since its launch as a start-up, has achieved remarkable results… Our goal is to continue representing Italy in the world and to make our passengers prouder than ever to fly with us,” Pappalardo said during the first meeting of the new Board of Directors of ITA Airways on January 15.

He highlighted that with the support of the Lufthansa Group, ITA Airways would continue its journey of growth, strengthening Italy’s presence in global aviation.

Joerg Eberhart, ITA Airways’ CEO, noted the company’s enhanced position in the competitive European air market and expressed confidence that the synergy with Lufthansa would open new growth opportunities. He pointed to the airline’s modern fleet and skilled professionals as key advantages for this next chapter.

“We are excited about the result achieved, which marks a historic moment for ITA Airways and for the entire air transport sector in Europe,” Eberhart said.

ITA Airways CEO Joerg Eberhart and the airline’s new Chairman, Sandro Pappalardo. Photo source: ITA Airways

The partnership is set to boost Italy’s role as a major player in European air traffic, expanding ITA Airways’ global footprint while improving connections between Italy, Europe, and beyond. The alliance aims to deliver premium service, combining Lufthansa’s global standards with the distinct Italian touch of ITA Airways. Additionally, the collaboration is set to foster operational efficiencies and support the shared commitment to reducing CO2 emissions.

This move solidifies the Lufthansa Group’s standing as the fourth-largest airline operator globally, further strengthening its position in the international aviation market.