German airline Lufthansa reached an agreement this Thursday that will reshape European aviation. The Italian state will receive a 41 percent stake in Ita Airways, the carrier created from the liquidation of Alitalia, a move that had been pursued for years as a strategic partner for the Italian aviation sector.
The Italian Ministry of Economy, which is the sole owner of Ita Airways, confirmed the operation in a statement after a meeting in Rome with Lufthansa’s chief executive. The Italian company Ita Airways is led by its president and a senior management team, and a formal note was issued to outline the commitment from both sides.
Lufthansa announced it will acquire 41% of Ita Airways through a capital injection of 325 million euros, with an option to purchase the remaining shares at a future date. This is positioned as a financing step that enables deeper integration while Ita maintains its own branding and operational independence for now.
In the ministry memo, Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti described the move as offering a perspective of integration that could enhance Italy’s Air Transport framework and align with broader European aviation goals.
A milestone in the history of the national airline, the decision marks a closing chapter as Ita aims to become a key participant in Europe’s aviation landscape through collaboration with a major regional partner.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has been in office since October, welcomed the deal as a step that could untangle a long-standing knot affecting the Italian air transport market for decades. The government intends that the agreement serves Italy’s broader interests in aviation growth and regional connectivity.
CEO Spohr of Lufthansa described the deal as good news for Italian consumers and for Europe, noting that a stronger Ita would bolster competition within the Italian market and benefit travelers across Europe. He stressed that the partnership will be pursued with a clear and shared strategy involving Ita and its two shareholders, the Italian State and Lufthansa.
The agreement will undergo the necessary evaluations by the Italian Court of Auditors and the European Commission DG Competition to ensure compliance with public procurement and competition rules. The plan is to move forward with careful alignment among Ita, the Italian State, and Lufthansa.
ITA Airways was established in October 2021 as a successor to Alitalia, which was liquidated after years of attempts to avert bankruptcy. Since its inception, the Ministry of Economy has sought a robust partner to support Ita’s growth and financial stability. Last February, Lufthansa signaled a plan to acquire around 40% of Ita for about 250 to 300 million euros as part of a staged cooperation strategy.
The German group announced that the commercial and operational cooperation between the two carriers would begin immediately, while Ita would retain its own direction and brand identity, ensuring continuity for customers and staff. In addition, Lufthansa intends to expand cooperation with Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane to strengthen integrated mobility offerings and intermodal connections across the country.
The move was discussed during a bilateral meeting between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at a recent G7 gathering in Hiroshima, signaling high-level support for the partnership and its potential to reshape cross-border travel in the region. [Citation: Government press release and official statements]