Lufthansa Tightens Grip on ITA Airways, Reshaping EU Travel

Lufthansa’s push to expand its control over Italy’s ITA Airways is poised to redraw parts of the European aviation map, with travelers facing new route options, shifting competition and evolving loyalty benefits across the continent.

From Minority Stake to De Facto Control

Publicly available information shows that Lufthansa completed the acquisition of a 41 percent stake in ITA Airways in January 2025, following European Commission approval of the deal in mid 2024. The Italian state, through the Ministry of Economy and Finance, currently retains the remaining 59 percent, but contractual options allow Lufthansa to increase its holding over time. The German group has already begun to treat ITA as its fifth network airline, alongside Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines.

Recent corporate disclosures indicate that Lufthansa has now moved to exercise its option to acquire a majority stake in ITA Airways, a step that would shift operational and strategic control firmly to the German group. While final regulatory and political sign-offs are still being tracked by analysts, the direction of travel is clear: ITA is being woven into Lufthansa’s broader network strategy in Europe and beyond.

This shift gives Lufthansa a strong foothold in Italy, historically one of Europe’s most fragmented and contested aviation markets. With Italy expected to become Lufthansa Group’s second-largest market by revenue after Germany and the United States, travelers can expect more of the country’s long haul and premium traffic to be channeled through a combined Lufthansa–ITA ecosystem.

For European travelers, that expanding control is likely to translate into a more unified experience across schedules, ticketing and customer policies, as ITA systems and procedures are increasingly aligned with Lufthansa Group standards.

Rome Fiumicino Rises as a Southern Hub

According to airline and airport briefings, Rome Fiumicino is being positioned as Lufthansa Group’s sixth and southernmost hub, complementing Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna and Brussels. ITA has already concentrated all of its intercontinental services at Rome, a move completed in 2024 when remaining long haul routes were pulled from Milan Malpensa and consolidated in the Italian capital.

For travelers, this hub strategy is expected to deliver more one stop options between Southern Europe and destinations in North and South America, Africa and parts of Asia. Network planning data and press coverage suggest that additional connections are likely to focus on high demand transatlantic routes, as well as links from secondary Italian cities into Rome for onward long haul travel.

Rome’s role as a premium hub may also grow. ITA has invested in a relatively young fleet and upgraded cabins, while Fiumicino has received positive passenger feedback for its terminal facilities. Under Lufthansa’s influence, observers expect closer coordination on schedules, lounges and minimum connection times, which could make Rome a more attractive alternative to traditional northern European hubs for leisure travelers heading to or from Italy, Greece and the wider Mediterranean.

At the same time, Milan Linate is set to remain an important business gateway. As part of the competition remedies that cleared the original deal, a number of slots at Linate and Rome are being transferred to a low cost competitor, which may preserve some fare tension on key domestic and short haul city pairs.

Loyalty Programs, Alliances and Codeshares

One of the most visible changes for frequent travelers will be in loyalty, alliances and codeshares. Published coverage shows that ITA Airways has left the SkyTeam alliance, ending its previous partnerships with Air France-KLM and Delta. The airline is now on a transition path to join Star Alliance, the network anchored in Europe by Lufthansa, Swiss and Austrian Airlines, with full membership targeted for 2026.

As integration deepens, travelers can expect broader codeshare coverage between ITA and other Lufthansa Group carriers on European and long haul routes. Some of this is already evident in booking systems, where ITA-operated flights appear under Lufthansa, Swiss or Austrian flight numbers on intra-European sectors.

On the loyalty side, reports indicate that ITA’s own program is being gradually aligned with Lufthansa’s Miles & More scheme. While exact timelines and earning charts are still being updated, the direction suggests that status benefits, mileage accrual and redemptions will increasingly be shared across ITA and the rest of the group. For frequent flyers based in Italy or those who travel often via Rome, this could simplify elite qualification and open more options for upgrades and award tickets.

For travelers who previously relied on SkyTeam connections via Rome, however, the shift means rethinking hub choices. Many may now find better connectivity for SkyTeam journeys via Paris Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam Schiphol or other alliance centers, while Star Alliance customers gain a stronger southern European gateway in Rome.

Fares, Competition and What Travelers Might Pay

The competition impact of Lufthansa’s expanded control over ITA has been central to regulatory scrutiny. European Commission documents and industry analysis note that Lufthansa and ITA previously competed, directly or via partners, on a number of routes between Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Belgium, as well as on certain long haul corridors.

To secure approval, Lufthansa and ITA accepted commitments to free up airport slots at key Italian airports, particularly Milan Linate and Rome Fiumicino, allowing a low cost rival to expand its presence. Reports indicate that this carrier plans to base additional aircraft in both cities from 2025, which could help sustain price competition on business heavy and leisure routes alike.

For consumers, the outcome may vary by route. On some domestic Italian and short haul segments where ITA and Lufthansa Group airlines coordinate more tightly, observers anticipate a gradual rationalization of capacity and schedules. That could lead to fewer overlapping flights and, depending on demand, a risk of firmer pricing. On the other hand, new services from low cost and hybrid competitors on released slots may counterbalance those pressures.

On long haul, particularly transatlantic flights from Rome, travelers may see a broader selection of one stop and nonstop options within the Lufthansa and Star Alliance ecosystem. That can increase choice on departure times and connection patterns, though fare trends will also depend on fuel costs, aircraft availability and broader demand on Europe to Americas corridors.

Practical Changes for Day to Day Travelers

For most passengers, the earliest tangible effects of Lufthansa’s growing control will be visible in the booking experience and at the airport. Timetables and booking engines are already presenting more joint itineraries that combine ITA with other Lufthansa Group airlines, allowing single ticket journeys that link Italian regional cities with hubs such as Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich and Vienna via Rome.

Check in, baggage handling and customer service processes are expected to become more standardized as ITA systems are integrated into group platforms. Over time, this may mean better protected connections, clearer rebooking options during disruptions and more consistent handling of baggage across mixed itineraries. Travelers should nonetheless pay close attention to fare conditions, as Italian domestic sectors can have different baggage rules compared with long haul legs.

Another change will be in airport lounges and ground services. As alliance and loyalty ties deepen, status customers and premium cabin travelers will likely gain expanded lounge access at Rome Fiumicino and other Italian airports when flying on ITA or connecting to Lufthansa Group partners. This could improve the overall premium travel experience on routes that previously lacked seamless lounge reciprocity.

Taken together, Lufthansa’s expanded grip on ITA Airways is set to make Italy more central to the group’s European strategy. For travelers, the shift brings the prospect of smoother connections and richer loyalty benefits, alongside an evolving competitive landscape that will determine how affordable those new options ultimately prove.