Air Canada, Lufthansa, and United have been extending their existing transatlantic joint venture to include ITA Airways, following Lufthansa’s acquisition of a stake in ITA. On 30 September, Air Canada, Lufthansa and United submitted a formal application to the US DOT to include ITA in its antitrust-immune operations.
ITA Airways is in the process of joining the Star Alliance, the same alliance as its partners Lufthansa, United, and Air Canada, with this integration expected to be completed in early 2026. This move aims to create a more extensive and seamless network for travellers by integrating ITA’s operations and routes into the larger alliance.
Key Aspects of the Alliance Extension
Lufthansa’s Stake in ITA Airways:
Lufthansa Group acquired a 41% stake in ITA Airways, creating a strong link between the two carriers.
Star Alliance Membership:
ITA Airways is transitioning from SkyTeam to Star Alliance to align with Lufthansa’s partners, including United and Air Canada. This full integration is expected in early 2026.
Joint Venture Expansion:
The transatlantic joint venture between Lufthansa, Air Canada, and United is being extended to include ITA Airways. This allows for greater cooperation in managing schedules, pricing, and revenue on transatlantic routes.
Passenger Benefits:
The extended partnership will offer travellers enhanced connectivity between North America and Italy. It also includes plans for mutual earning and redemption of loyalty points for frequent flyers of all participating airlines.
Network Expansion
The integration is expected to significantly grow the Star Alliance network, particularly through ITA Airways’ hubs in Rome and Milan. Air Canada has also been expanding its direct flights to Italy and offering intermodal rail connections with Trenitalia to enhance travel to the region.
Timeline
- January 2025: Lufthansa Group completed its acquisition of a 41% stake in ITA Airways.
- February 2025: Lufthansa and ITA launched an ongoing integration programme.
- Early 2026: Full integration into the Star Alliance network is anticipated
[…] La JV “A++” è un’alleanza esente dalle norme antitrust per quanto riguarda la fissazione dei prezzi e la gestione della capacità. Per poter pienamente partecipare a questa cooperazione, l’ingresso di ITA deve essere formalmente ratificato dall’autorità statunitense. La richiesta è stata formalmente presentata dalla Joint Venture il 1° ottobre 2025, confermando che l’acquisizione di ITA da parte di Lufthansa è ora totalmente focalizzata sull’allineamento strategico transatlantico (Fonte: Aviation24.be). […]
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