Lufthansa Buys Bigger ITA Stake as Italy Moves Closer to Its Group

Lufthansa Group said that it will buy another 49 percent of ITA Airways.

This will raise its stake in Italy’s flag carrier from 41 percent to 90 percent. The deal is worth €325 million ($382 million) and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027 if regulators approve it.

Italy’s Ministry of Economy and Finance will keep the remaining 10 percent for now. The move is a major step for ITA, which was created as the successor to Alitalia after years of financial problems at Italy’s former national airline.

ITA is already changing for passengers

ITA has already moved closer to Lufthansa in visible ways. Passengers can use Lufthansa Group booking channels, access more than 130 group lounges, and connect more smoothly through Frankfurt and Munich. ITA has also adopted Miles & More, Lufthansa’s loyalty program, which brings its frequent flyers into the group’s wider customer system.

The airline also joined Star Alliance in March 2026. Star Alliance connects ITA with Lufthansa and other partner airlines in one global network. Passengers can benefit from mileage earning, lounge access, and smoother international connections across member airlines.

Regulators still need to approve the deal

The purchase is not final yet. Lufthansa still needs regulatory approval in Europe and the US before it can complete the move to 90 percent ownership. This is important because the first stage of the ITA deal already faced close competition checks. The European Commission approved Lufthansa’s 41 percent investment only after remedies were agreed in 2024.

Regulators are watching the deal because airline consolidation can reduce competition on some routes. The main concerns involve flights between Italy and central Europe, as well as long-haul cooperation between Italy and North America. That is why some deeper commercial cooperation is still waiting for approval.

Lufthansa’s TAP bid shows its Southern Europe push

Recently, Lufthansa submitted a non-binding offer for a stake in TAP Air Portugal as Portugal moves forward with the airline’s privatization. The government plans to sell 44.9 percent of TAP to a strategic airline investor, while 5 percent will be reserved for employees.

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