Lufthansa Group is moving to take 90% ownership of ITA Airways, and I see this as more than another airline deal. It is a clear bet on Italy, Rome and the future of European travel. The German airline group plans to buy an additional 49% stake in ITA for 325 million euros, raising its holding from 41% to 90%. The remaining 10% will stay with Italy’s Ministry of Economy and Finance for now. The deal still needs regulatory approval, mainly from the European Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice, and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027.
Why did Lufthansa buy more of ITA Airways?
Lufthansa bought more of ITA Airways because Italy is too important to leave half-connected.
From a traveler’s point of view, this makes sense quickly. Italy is not just Rome, Milan and Venice. It is family travel, luxury travel, business traffic, cruise departures, Catholic tourism, fashion weeks, food tourism and long-haul demand from the Americas and Asia.
For Lufthansa, ITA gives three major advantages:
| What Lufthansa gains | Why it matters for travelers |
|---|---|
| Rome Fiumicino hub power | More one-stop options through Italy |
| Stronger southern Europe reach | Better access to Mediterranean routes |
| ITA’s Italian brand | A national airline identity stays alive |
| Group-wide connections | Easier booking with Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian and Brussels Airlines |
| Loyalty benefits | Stronger Miles & More and Star Alliance value |
I have seen travelers choose airlines based less on ownership and more on one simple thing: “Can I book it easily and trust the connection?” This deal answers that question better than ITA could alone.
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Is ITA Airways already part of Lufthansa Group?
Yes, ITA Airways is already working like part of Lufthansa Group in many customer-facing areas.
Lufthansa said ITA is already integrated as its fifth network airline in several parts of the business. Passengers now see stronger links in booking, sales, fares, Miles & More, Star Alliance benefits and lounge access. The major exception is North Atlantic flying, where full approval is still pending.
That matters because airline mergers often feel invisible at first. A passenger does not care about board approvals. They care about whether the app works, whether miles post, whether bags connect and whether a missed flight can be fixed without chaos.
When will Lufthansa complete the ITA Airways acquisition?
Lufthansa expects the majority acquisition to close in the first quarter of 2027.
The timeline is important. This is not a simple “money changed hands today” situation. Lufthansa is exercising its option in June 2026, but the final closing depends on approvals from regulators in Europe and the United States.
So the accurate answer is: Lufthansa is set to control 90% of ITA Airways, but the legal completion is expected in early 2027.
What happens to ITA Airways after Lufthansa takes 90%?
ITA Airways is expected to become more deeply integrated into Lufthansa Group, both organizationally and financially.
That sounds corporate, but here is the plain version: passengers should gradually see fewer gaps between ITA and other Lufthansa Group airlines.
Expect more of this:
- Simpler multi-airline bookings
- Better flight connection options
- More consistent loyalty benefits
- Stronger lounge access
- More coordinated fares
- Improved long-haul feed through Rome
In real travel terms, a passenger flying Delhi to Rome, Rome to São Paulo, or New York to Sicily may eventually see smoother routing and better protection when plans break.
Why Rome is the hidden prize in this deal
Rome is the emotional and commercial center of this story.
Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna and Brussels already give Lufthansa Group strong central and northern European coverage. Rome gives it a warmer, southern hub with natural links to Africa, South America, the Mediterranean and premium leisure routes.
That is why this deal feels different. Lufthansa is not just buying aircraft and airport slots. It is buying a stronger Italian doorway to the world.
What does this mean for ITA Airways passengers?
For passengers, the biggest benefit should be less friction.
If you have ever booked a mixed-airline itinerary, you know the stress. One app says one thing. The second airline says another. The loyalty program does not match. The fare rules feel unclear.
With ITA moving deeper into Lufthansa Group, the passenger experience should become more predictable. Lufthansa has already said ITA customers are seeing unified booking, sales and fare systems, Miles & More access, Star Alliance membership and lounge network benefits.
That is the kind of change that matters on a bad travel day, not just in a press statement.
Why this deal is also a rescue story
ITA Airways was created after the long decline of Alitalia, a name many travelers still remember with affection and frustration.
That history gives this deal emotional weight. Italy gets to keep a recognizable national airline brand, while Lufthansa brings scale, systems and financial discipline. ITA also reported its first annual net profit of 209 million euros in 2025, helped by early cost benefits from the Lufthansa partnership, according to Reuters.
That makes the timing powerful. Lufthansa is not only stepping in to fix a weak airline. It is moving faster because ITA is showing signs of becoming a stronger business.
Lufthansa Group AGM also brought leadership changes
The ownership move came around Lufthansa’s 73rd Annual General Meeting, where about 1,600 shareholders participated. Shareholders approved all agenda items by a large majority, including a 0.33 euro per share dividend. Dr. Johannes Teyssen was elected as the new chairman of the Supervisory Board, succeeding Dr. Karl-Ludwig Kley.
This matters because major airline integrations need stable leadership. Lufthansa is entering a period where execution will matter more than announcements.
My clear takeaway: This is about control, not just ownership
The headline number is 90%, but the real story is control.
Lufthansa now gets a much stronger hand in shaping ITA’s network, costs, loyalty strategy and long-term role inside the group. ITA gets the benefit of being part of a larger airline family without losing the Italian identity that makes it useful in the first place.
For travelers, the deal should mean more reliable connections. For Italy, it means its flagship airline has a clearer future. For Lufthansa, it means Rome is no longer just a destination. It is becoming a serious group hub.
