The partnership between ITA Airways and Lufthansa is set to take flight in January, following a plan detailed by the German giant and accepted by its Italian counterpart. A recent development in the story has seen the European Commission approve the transfer of 30 daily slots at Milan-Linate airport to easyJet. In addition, some slots on transatlantic routes are likely to be transferred to British Airways, while Air France may receive some at a later stage.

These steps were essential to obtain the green light from Brussels, which imposed these conditions to ensure fair competition in European and transatlantic skies, where the new alliance promises to be particularly influential. The final agreement is expected in the coming weeks. According to sources close to the dossier, there would be no further hitches and the officialization should arrive by November 4. Once the alliance is formalized, Lufthansa will proceed to purchase 41% of ITA with an investment of 325 million euros, marking the beginning of an ambitious strategic collaboration.

ITA's future organizational chart includes a five-member board of directors, three of whom are chosen by the Italian Ministry of Economy and two by Lufthansa, likely including CEO Jorg Eberhart, known for his deep knowledge of the airline industry. Lufthansa's stake is expected to increase progressively, reaching 90% by 2033 with total investments of €829 million.

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