ITA Airways begins integration into Star Alliance following approval

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ITA Airways begins integration into Star Alliance following approval

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Lufthansa | Lufthansa

By Sky Industry News

Apr 2, 2025

ITA Airways has secured approval from the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board to begin its integration process into the Star Alliance, following its induction into the Lufthansa Group earlier this year. This development is expected to facilitate its entry into the world's largest airline alliance.

Star Alliance CEO Theo Panagiotoulias remarked, "In early 2026, ITA Airways is expected to officially join the Star Alliance network as a full member. The decision by our Chief Executive Board underscores the strong confidence our members have in ITA Airways. As a gateway for Italy, its addition strengthens our global network, offering seamless and connected journeys to more travellers worldwide."

Joerg Eberhart, ITA Airways' CEO and General Manager, praised the alliance, saying, "We are excited to join the Star Alliance network and to bring the excellence of Made in Italy into the alliance, further enhancing its global reach. This is a significant milestone in ITA Airways’ growth, and we look forward to offering our customers the future privileges of the world’s largest airline network."

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The addition of ITA Airways is slated to enhance the Star Alliance's European presence with 360 daily flights. There will be significant growth from its main hubs in Rome and Milan, which are currently served by 16 Star Alliance members.

The Lufthansa Group is playing a mentorship role during ITA Airways' integration into Star Alliance. Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer of the Lufthansa Group, commented, "I am proud that ITA Airways will become the fifth hub airline of the Lufthansa Group to join Star Alliance. As the mentor of the membership process, we will do our utmost to ensure a smooth and swift integration. ITA Airways’ future membership will provide Star Alliance customers with many new opportunities for personalised travel planning. I am confident that ITA Airways will be an excellent addition to the Star Alliance portfolio."

When the integration is complete, Star Alliance will have 26 member airlines, offering over 18,000 daily flights across 192 countries.

Star Alliance was established as a global airline alliance in 1997, offering the most comprehensive airline network to enhance customer experiences. The alliance's members currently provide 17,500 daily flights to over 1,150 airports in 189 countries.

ITA Airways, partially owned by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and Deutsche Lufthansa AG, operates passenger and cargo services, focusing on connectivity and sustainability. The airline prides itself on customer service and sustainability commitments.

The Lufthansa Group is a global aviation conglomerate known for its high standards of safety, quality, and innovation. It comprises segments such as Passenger Airlines and Aviation Services, with ITA Airways as its newest member.

For more information, visit Star Alliance and ITA Airways' official websites.