Lufthansa to Raise ITA Airways Stake to 90% in €325 Million Expansion Deal
Deutsche Lufthansa AG has announced plans to significantly expand its ownership of ITA Airways, confirming that it will exercise its option to acquire an additional 49 per cent stake in the Italian airline this June.
The decision, approved by Lufthansa’s Supervisory Board during its May 11 meeting, will increase the German airline group’s holding in ITA Airways from 41 per cent to 90 per cent, bringing the Italian carrier closer to full integration into the Lufthansa network.
Lufthansa stated that the acquisition of the additional shares will be carried out at a previously agreed purchase price of 325 million euros.
The transaction, however, remains subject to approvals from international regulators, particularly the European Commission and the United States Department of Justice (DOJ).
The airline projected that the transaction would be completed in the first quarter of 2027, after which ITA Airways would become fully integrated into the Lufthansa Group’s organisational and financial structure.
The German carrier explained that its entry into ITA Airways began in January 2025 when it officially acquired a 41 per cent minority stake in the airline.
The acquisition followed an agreement signed with Italy’s Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) in June 2023, which included a recurring annual option allowing Lufthansa to acquire an additional 49 per cent stake.
By exercising the option this year, Lufthansa is effectively taking majority control of the Italian airline while the Italian government, through the MEF, will temporarily retain the remaining 10 per cent shareholding.
Lufthansa also indicated that the remaining stake could eventually be purchased in 2028, potentially making ITA Airways a wholly owned member of the Lufthansa Group.
The latest development highlights Lufthansa’s aggressive strategy to strengthen its footprint in Southern Europe and consolidate its influence within the European aviation sector.
Speaking at the company’s Annual General Meeting, the Chief Executive Officer of the Lufthansa Group and Chairman of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Carsten Spohr, said the integration process between Lufthansa and ITA Airways had progressed at a pace faster than originally anticipated.
Spohr said Lufthansa had earlier promised what he described as the “fastest airline integration” in the group’s history following its initial investment in ITA Airways.
According to him, most of the integration milestones had already been achieved well ahead of schedule.
He explained that passengers now experience a seamless connection between the two airlines through harmonised booking and sales systems, coordinated fare structures and integration into Lufthansa’s Miles and More loyalty programme.
ITA Airways has also joined the Star Alliance network, enabling its customers to access Lufthansa Group’s worldwide network of premium lounges and expanded international connections.
Spohr further noted that the integration had extended beyond passenger services into the cargo segment.
He disclosed that Lufthansa Cargo has been marketing ITA Airways’ cargo capacity since last year, adding that the additional freight capability is comparable to the operational capacity of three Boeing 777 freighter aircraft.
The Lufthansa chief said the success of the collaboration influenced the group’s decision to move quickly in exercising its option to acquire majority ownership of the airline.
Industry analysts believe the move could reshape competition within Europe’s aviation market, particularly on key international and transatlantic routes, while also positioning ITA Airways for greater operational stability and global market reach under Lufthansa’s management structure.
