Lufthansa Group noted that by sharing or adding codeshare flight numbers to an existing itinerary, travelers have a wider choice of flights and more flexibility despite traveling on different carriers.
The Germany-based group also highlighted that members of its loyalty program, Miles & More, and Volare, ITA Airways’ loyalty program, will also be able to redeem miles or points on codeshare flights.
Further integration benefits will be coming in March, including the synchronization of Lufthansa Group airlines' and ITA Airways' flight schedules.
Starting with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) summer season on March 30, select ITA Airways flights will operate under the flight codes of Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, and Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS). This includes year-round domestic flights within Italy as well as international connections from Rome Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Athens Airport (ATH), Luqa Malta International Airport (MLA), Tirana International Airport (TIA), and Sofia Vasil Levski Airport (SOF).
“For example, from the summer flight schedule, a Lufthansa customer can book a trip with Lufthansa from Frankfurt to Rome under flight number LH236 and then combine it with ITA Airways from Rome to Brindisi under flight number LH5078, thus obtaining an additional travel option to the Lufthansa Group's existing flight connections to Brindisi. ”
Dieter Vranckx, chief commercial officer (CCO) of Lufthansa Group said:
“The integration of ITA Airways as part of the Lufthansa Group is progressing rapidly and now enables far-reaching advantages in the offering for our joint customers through codesharing. ”
Meanwhile in a policy brief published in February by Lufthansa Group following their acquisition of an initial 41% stake they detailed their long-term goal is a full takeover sometime in late-2025 depending upon share availability.
The group received significant support from politicians including German government officials despite concerns raised by European Commission which had mandated remedy measures aimed at protecting competition within Europe since March last year saying:
“European competition law must be applied more efficiently in future because consolidation within Europe will continue. ”
Lufthansa argued that European carriers need growth potential comparable with international airlines based outside EU borders ensuring strong domestic lines offer connectivity globally benefiting all citizens across member states alike
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