"As representatives of all employees at ITA Airways and Lufthansa Group we fully support the planned industrial partnership and stake investment entry of ITA Airways by Lufthansa Group.

We call on the European Commission to support the merger timely and positively in order to defend European sovereignty on critical infrastructure in air transport. 

This development is the right way forward for ITA and it comes at the right timeto secure our jobs and working conditions as ground staff, flight attendants and pilots. It is also a crucial step in keeping European aviation strong and reliable for our citizens and the economy. 

A strong commitment for ITA and the industrial partnership by Lufthansa will guarantee a solid future for the employees and a long lasting operation for acritical element of the Italian infrastructure. 

As representatives of all employees we will keep working together for a strong ITA, a strong Lufthansa Group and a strong European aviation system as awhole".