The Lufthansa Group
has officially unveiled its plan to integrate ITA Airways into the group, including the planned dates to leave SkyTeam and join Star Alliance, with the latter potentially happening in the first half of 2026.
Profitable in 2025
On February 3, Lufthansa Group detailed the transitional plans following the closure of the acquisition of a 41% stake in ITA Airways
. With immediate effect, all Miles & More members, which is a loyalty program used by all of the group’s carriers and such operators as LOT Polish Airlines, Luxair, and others, can earn and redeem miles on ITA Airways flights.
As such, members of the Italian airline’s loyalty program, Volare, can earn and redeem points on flights operated by network carriers of the group: Austrian Airlines
, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, and Swiss International Air Lines ( SWISS
).
Photo: ITA Airways
Carsten Sphor, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Lufthansa Group, said with the group’s acquisition of an initial ITA Airways stake, the company wanted to push ahead with the integration quickly. As such, ITA Airways and its passengers, as well as the group’s airlines and their travelers, can quickly benefit from the advantages of the group’s growing network carrier portfolio with the addition of the Italian airline.
“We are also confident that ITA Airways will realize a profit as early as this year. All in all, we are convinced that today, the start of the integration of ITA Airways into the Lufthansa Group, marks the beginning of a joint success story for customers, employees and shareholders of ITA Airways and the Lufthansa Group.”
Related
Examined: How Lufthansa’s Merger With ITA Airways Will Alter The US-Italy Route Network
ITA Airways is planning to serve up to six destinations in the US during the upcoming summer season.
Switching alliances
Furthermore, Lufthansa Group detailed that ITA Airways has already initiated the process of leaving SkyTeam and will be joining the 
Star Alliance
, which includes airlines such as 
Air Canada
and United Airlines. The process should be completed in the first half of 2026. In a statement, 
SkyTeam
said that the Italian carrier’s exit from the alliance should be finalized by April 30, with the two stakeholders working closely together to ensure a smooth transition.
To note, when the European Commission (EC) was reviewing the acquisition, which does include an option to buy the remaining 59% stake, it outlined that it considered 
Lufthansa
, ITA Airways, and its joint venture partners, Air Canada, All Nippon Airways (ANA), and 
United Airlines
, as a single entity regarding long-haul flights to and from Italy.
The Germany-based group will add ITA Airways flights to its flight schedule starting March 30, unlocking more than 100 codeshare destinations for its customers. As a result, travelers will be able to combine multiple itineraries within the group carriers’ networks into a single booking.
Photo: MC MEDIASTUDIO | Shutterstock
“Once fully implemented, this codesharing will give ITA Airways passengers access to over 250 destinations of the Lufthansa Group. For passengers of the Lufthansa Group airlines, the offer will be expanded to include ITA Airways domestic flights to Sicily, Sardinia, Calabria and Puglia.”
To facilitate better connections between the group’s main hubs and ITA Airways’ main airports, namely Rome Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and Milan Linate Airport (LIN), the group will coordinate departure times resulting in improved connections to long-haul destinations.
Related
ITA Airways Shareholders Approve $338 Million In Capital From Lufthansa Group
The capital increase will allow Lufthansa Group to acquire a 41% stake in ITA Airways.
Other benefits
Lufthansa Group noted that using the same terminal was an “essential prerequisite for quick and comfortable transfers” at its hubs. As a result, ITA Airways will move its presence at 
Frankfurt Airport
(FRA) and Munich Airport
(MUC) into Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, respectively, on March 30.
This should significantly reduce transfer times, the group said. Other hub airports, including Rome-Fiumicino and Milan-Linate, already see all of the group’s carriers operating from the same terminals.
Photo: Cineberg | Shutterstock
From March 30, ITA Airways passengers will be able to enter around 130 Lufthansa Group lounges and its partners worldwide, while the group airlines’ travelers will have access to ITA Airways’ lounges.
“The cooperation between ITA Airways and Lufthansa Cargo is also to be quickly intensified in the airfreight sector. The first joint offers for freight customers will be available on selected routes as early as the upcoming summer.”
The Lufthansa Group announced its intentions to acquire a 41% stake in ITA Airways for €325 million ($333.5 million) in May 2023. The deal, which fought back objections from the EC, which mandated remedy measures, and struggles to find the middle ground between the group and the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance (Ministero dell’Economia e delle Finanze, MEF), was finalized on January 17.
Related
Done Deal: ITA Airways Officially Joins Lufthansa Group As 41% Stake Acquisition Completed
ITA Airways is now officially part of the Lufthansa Group of airlines.
