Lufthansa Acquires Stake in Italy's Ita Airways

The German airline begins its phased takeover of Ita Airways, with changes ahead for passengers and competition concerns raised by the EU.

Lufthansa is set to acquire a 41% stake in Ita Airways for €325 million, with plans for full ownership by 2033 for a total of €830 million.
The EU imposed conditions on the deal, requiring Lufthansa to relinquish some takeoff and landing rights in Rome and Milan and prioritize competitors' passengers on certain routes.
Passengers may face higher ticket prices as Lufthansa integrates Ita into its network and shifts Ita from SkyTeam to the Star Alliance group.
Italian public and political reactions to the deal are mixed, with some viewing the sale of the national airline as a loss of sovereignty.
Lufthansa aims to make Rome-Fiumicino its sixth hub, leveraging Ita's fleet to expand routes to South America, Africa, and Asia.