ITA Airways will join the long-standing Europe–Japan joint venture between Lufthansa Group and All Nippon Airways (ANA) from autumn 2026, marking another important step in the Italian carrier’s integration into the Lufthansa Group.
The agreement was signed during the annual meeting of the International Air Transport Association in Rio de Janeiro.
Rome Becomes a New Major Gateway to Japan
The expansion adds ITA Airways’ network to the joint venture, including:
- Domestic Italian routes.
- Connections across Southern Europe and North Africa.
- The airline’s daily long-haul service between Rome Fiumicino Airport and Tokyo Haneda Airport.
The Rome–Tokyo route complements ANA’s existing service between Tokyo Haneda and Milan Malpensa Airport.
Passengers booking with ANA, Lufthansa Group airlines, or ITA Airways will be able to combine flights across the participating carriers more easily, with coordinated schedules, reciprocal lounge access, and recognition of loyalty-program benefits.
Better Connections for Southern Europe
A key benefit of ITA’s participation is the addition of Rome as a southern European hub.
For travellers from Southern Europe, the Mediterranean region, and North Africa, routing via Rome can provide shorter journey times to Japan than connections through the Lufthansa Group’s traditional hubs in:
- Frankfurt
- Munich
- Vienna
- Zurich
At the same time, ITA customers gain access to ANA’s extensive domestic Japanese network beyond Tokyo.
One of the Largest Europe–Japan Airline Partnerships
The joint venture was established in 2012 by Lufthansa and ANA, with later participation by SWISS and Austrian Airlines.
With ITA Airways joining, the partnership will comprise five airlines and offer approximately 160 weekly long-haul flights between Europe and Japan. The arrangement allows the carriers to coordinate schedules, pricing, and products under antitrust immunity granted by Japanese regulators.
Strategic Importance for ITA Airways
For ITA Airways, the move further embeds the airline within Lufthansa Group’s network strategy and significantly strengthens its position in the Asia-Pacific market.
The agreement also enhances the importance of Rome Fiumicino as a long-haul hub, giving passengers more one-stop travel options between Japan and destinations across Italy, Southern Europe, the Mediterranean, and North Africa.