Lufthansa-ITA Merger Milestones: What’s Changing and When?
Photo Credit: An ITA Airways Airbus A350-900. Vincenzo Pace / Vincenzo Pace
Skift Take
Lufthansa Group technically remains a minority shareholder in Italy’s national carrier, but it’s already leveraging the benefits of its newly minted 41% stake.
Lufthansa isn’t wasting any time in bringing its latest acquisition into the fold.
On Monday, ITA Airways’ senior management team was joined in Rome by Carsten Spohr, Lufthansa Group CEO. The high-profile meeting marked the start of the practical integration between the German aviation conglomerate and Italy’s national airline.
Last month, Lufthansa Group and the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) formally concluded the merger transaction. The deal saw Lufthansa acquire a 41% stake in ITA, with the Italian government retaining 59%. Notably, the contract allows Lufthansa to increase its shareholding at a later stage – something it is widely expected to do.
Founded in November 2020, ITA is the successor brand to Alitalia, Italy’s former flag carrier.
With competition watchdogs won over and financials finally settled, the hard part begins – integrating ITA into the sprawling Lufthansa Group.
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