It's a done deal! The Lufthansa Group has completed its acquisition of Italian airline ITA by officially acquiring a 41% stake in its capital.. The German group's stake in the transalpine carrier could rise to 49% by 2029. The transaction has become effective following the green light from the European Commission the takeover of ITA by Lufthansa last November.
From now on, the Lufthansa Group will be able to fully integrate ITA into its multi-brand and multi-hub development strategy.
Rome-Fiumicino reinforced
" We are proud to finally welcome ITA Airways to the Lufthansa Group. describes Carsten Spohr, CEO of Lufthansa. " Thanks to our investment, we're going to strengthen the Italian and European aviation markets and the Lufthansa Group's position as number one in Europe. Our passengers around the world will benefit from improved services and optimised connections as of the next summer programme".he explains.
In practical terms, Italy has become a new 'home market' for the Lufthansa group. The country is already the company's second largest international market. after the United States, outside the existing domestic markets of Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Belgium.
Rome Fiumicino airport will position itself as the group's sixth hub and its southernmost hub. Milan Linate will also assert its role by serving the EU's second largest catchment area, northern Italy.
Rapid integration into Star Alliance
Very quickly, ITA Airways frequent flyers and those of the Lufthansa group will be able to collect their points or miles either in the ITA Airways "Volare" programme or in Miles & Morethe Lufthansa Group's frequent flyer programme. It is highly likely that Volare will eventually be replaced by Miles & More.
ITA passengers will also be able to use the Lufthansa lounges and vice versa. The Italian airline to join the Star Alliance and leave Skyteam as a result. The system of connections and joint flights will be optimised.
ITA Airways, the successor to the historic carrier Alitalia, is equipped with an all-Airbus fleet of 99 aircraft. This includes 22 long-haul aircraft A350-900, A330-900neo and A330-200. The airline serves nearly 70 destinations and has welcomed around 18 million passengers on board its aircraft last year.
