Lufthansa Secures Approval for Ita Airways Acquisition, with Route Restrictions and Slot Agreements

In a major development for the Italian aviation industry, the EU Antitrust Authority is set to announce approval for the sale of the first package of shares of Ita Airways to Lufthansa with potential requirements. This decision comes just one day before the July 4th deadline and follows six months of negotiations between the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ita Airways, Lufthansa, and the European Competition Authority.

The compromise reached between these stakeholders includes restrictions on routes from Fiumicino to North America and slot agreements at Linate airport. Following the announcement from Brussels, a press conference will be held by Minister of Economy Giancarlo Giorgetti, Ita Airways president Antonino Turicchi, and Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr at the Mef headquarters. Further details of the agreement will be defined in the coming months.

The sale operation was notified to Brussels in November 2023, and concerns about competition have been raised by the EU Commission in the past six months. Nearly three years after its creation from the remnants of Alitalia, Ita Airways has finally found a strong industrial partner in Lufthansa. This partnership has been sought after multiple attempts, with the last one in 2019. With this acquisition, Lufthansa aims to expand its presence in Italy’s crucial market due to high tourist flows. Meanwhile, Ita Airways requires a strong partner to continue its growth trajectory. The transaction is expected to benefit both companies and