According to latest rumors, new tensions are emerging in the negotiations between the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and Lufthansa to acquire a 41% stake in ITA Airways. It seems that the MEF has advanced a series of new requests for guarantees that were not foreseen in the initial terms of the agreement signed in 2023. In particular, there is talk of additional conditions that would include coverage by Lufthansa of legal costs related to disputes with workers, and the inclusion of a clause that guarantees financial compensation to ITA in the event of a possible exit of Lufthansa from the partnership in the future.

According to the same rumors, Lufthansa seemed willing to temporarily freeze the agreement, with the intention of subsequently reviewing the new conditions imposed. However, the Ministry of Economy and Finance rejected this hypothesis, maintaining its requests unchanged and thus leaving the parties in a stalemate. There is talk of a meeting scheduled for today at 6:00pm between representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Lufthansa and ITA Airways (see AVIONEWS) even if, the same sources still report unofficially, if these conditions were confirmed, Lufthansa could decide not to show up at the negotiating table. On the subject see also AVIONEWS 2 and 3.