ITA Airways is preparing to leave the SkyTeam alliance and transition to Star Alliance. Following Lufthansa Group’s acquisition of a 41% stake in ITA Airways, the Italian carrier is expected to officially join Star Alliance in early 2026.
Transition Process to Be Completed by April 30
ITA Airways’ exit from SkyTeam will be finalized by April 30, 2025. The airline has described the transition as a “structured and efficient process.” During this period, it will continue selected partnerships with existing SkyTeam member airlines.
In a statement, ITA Airways said:
“The carrier will maintain its cooperation with SkyTeam member airlines through existing bilateral agreements while preserving the benefits offered to its customers.”
Lufthansa Group’s Role
As a founding member of Star Alliance, Lufthansa Group ensures that all its subsidiaries are part of the alliance. ITA Airways’ entry into Star Alliance will expand Lufthansa Group’s portfolio while further strengthening the alliance’s presence in Europe.
ITA Airways’ Alliance History
ITA Airways joined SkyTeam in 2021, following in the footsteps of its predecessor, Alitalia. However, Lufthansa’s acquisition made the airline’s transition between alliances inevitable.
This marks the second major shift for SkyTeam in recent years. In 2024, the alliance lost a member when Czech Airlines ceased operations. However, SkyTeam also expanded during the same period with the addition of SAS. The Scandinavian carrier joined SkyTeam after Air France-KLM acquired a stake in the airline, leading to its departure from Star Alliance.
The Future of Airline Alliances
ITA Airways’ transition to Star Alliance comes at a time when dynamics between global airline alliances are shifting. The move will bolster Star Alliance’s leadership in Europe and integrate ITA Airways more closely with Lufthansa Group.
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