ITA Airways
Corporate brand
UnclaimedItaly’s flag carrier, launched in 2021 as the successor to Alitalia and integrated into Lufthansa Group from 2025.
Last updated August 25, 2026
Overview
ITA Airways, legally Italia Trasporto Aereo S.p.A., is the flag carrier of Italy. The airline was created by the Italian state during the prolonged financial collapse of Alitalia and began commercial operations on 15 October 2021, one day after Alitalia ceased flying. It was intended to provide a legally and commercially distinct successor rather than simply continue the old carrier’s business, following European Commission scrutiny of how Alitalia’s assets, slots, brand, frequent-flyer programme and operating activities would be transferred. The airline is headquartered in Rome and operates its principal hub at Rome Fiumicino Airport, with Milan Linate serving as a focus location. Its network covers domestic Italian services, European routes and intercontinental links to destinations in the Americas, Africa and Asia. ITA’s operating model is that of a full-service network airline, combining scheduled passenger services with cargo capacity and connections through its Italian hubs. After a limited start-up period, the carrier expanded its network and fleet around Airbus aircraft, including the A220, A320neo, A321neo, A330neo and A350 families. ITA initially joined the SkyTeam alliance in October 2021. Its long-term ownership strategy changed after Lufthansa Group entered negotiations with the Italian government. Lufthansa agreed to acquire a minority stake in 2023, received European Commission approval in July 2024 and completed the purchase of 41% of ITA in January 2025. The transaction made ITA the fifth network airline in Lufthansa Group. The group retained options to increase its stake, with the supplied reference material describing a planned increase to 90% and a later option for the remaining shares. The ownership change also altered ITA’s alliance position. The airline announced its departure from SkyTeam in February 2025 and completed the transition toward Star Alliance. It joined Star Alliance on 1 April 2026, while its Volare loyalty programme ended on 31 March 2026 and was replaced by integration with Lufthansa’s Miles & More programme. The alliance and loyalty changes are part of a wider commercial and operational integration with Lufthansa Group, including airport-terminal coordination at Frankfurt and Munich. ITA’s identity is deliberately Italian but does not reproduce Alitalia’s former corporate structure. Its aircraft use a pearlescent blue livery with white engines, a distinct ITA Airways wordmark, Italian tricolor details and imagery inspired by Italian landmarks. Aircraft are named after notable Italian sportspeople. Although ITA acquired the Alitalia brand, the name was initially retained mainly as a strategic asset rather than as the airline’s principal public identity. From 2024, the carrier used the phrase “inspired by Alitalia” in its marketing and brand presentation. The airline’s early years were marked by fleet renewal, ownership negotiations, labour tensions arising from the limited transfer of former Alitalia employees, and the challenge of building a sustainable network after the COVID-19 crisis. It has also faced ordinary aviation operational and legal issues, including a 2022 ground incident at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and a branding dispute with Aeroitalia. ITA remains an active national carrier and a Lufthansa Group airline, serving as a principal Italian platform within the group’s European and intercontinental network.
History
ITA Airways emerged from the collapse of Alitalia, Italy’s long-standing flag carrier. Alitalia had undergone privatization, restructuring and outside investment, including participation by Etihad Airways, but repeated attempts to restore profitability failed. After entering extraordinary administration in 2017, the airline remained vulnerable to further losses. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified the crisis, and the Italian government took control in March 2020. On 10 October 2020, the government authorized the creation of Italia Trasporto Aereo S.p.A. The new company was designed to start with a cleaner balance sheet and a more limited transfer of assets than a direct continuation of Alitalia. Early plans considered acquiring Alitalia’s brand, flight codes, airport slots and other assets, but the European Commission required an open and competitive process and challenged arrangements that could imply uninterrupted corporate continuity. The Commission also indicated that aviation, ground-handling and maintenance operations should be treated separately and that Alitalia’s MilleMiglia programme could not simply be transferred. ITA opened ticket sales in August 2021 and received authorization for planned services to the United States and other international markets. On 30 September 2021, it announced a major Airbus fleet plan, covering direct purchases and leases. Commercial operations began on 15 October 2021, initially using a combination of newly arranged aircraft and 49 aircraft transferred from Alitalia, including Airbus A319, A320 and A330 aircraft. The airline presented a new blue-and-white visual identity rather than operating under the Alitalia name, although it later acquired the Alitalia trademark for strategic and possible marketing purposes. The launch period included labour controversy because many former Alitalia employees were not rehired. ITA also took over the role of Italy’s principal carrier for many papal flights, beginning with Pope Francis’s travel in December 2021. During its first year, the airline carried approximately nine million passengers according to the supplied reference material, while continuing to develop its domestic, European and long-haul network. From 2022 onward, ownership became the central strategic question. MSC Group and Lufthansa Group expressed interest in taking a controlling position, while an alternative consortium involving Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Certares also pursued the airline. Lufthansa later submitted a formal proposal and signed a letter of intent with the Italian government in January 2023. In May 2023, the parties reached an agreement for Lufthansa to acquire 41% of ITA. European Commission approval followed in July 2024, and the transaction closed in January 2025. Following the acquisition, ITA became a Lufthansa Group network airline while retaining its Italian brand and operating identity. The carrier coordinated its airport presence with Lufthansa Group at Frankfurt and Munich and began leaving SkyTeam. Its full Star Alliance entry took place on 1 April 2026. At the same time, Volare ended and ITA became integrated with Miles & More. The airline’s future therefore combines a national-carrier role with a progressively deeper role in Lufthansa Group’s European and intercontinental system.
- 2026
Star Alliance membership
[1]ITA joined Star Alliance and moved its loyalty activity into Miles & More.
- 2025
Lufthansa acquisition closes
[1]Lufthansa Group acquired 41% of ITA Airways and began deeper operational integration.
- 2024
EU approval
[1]The European Commission approved Lufthansa Group’s acquisition of a stake in ITA Airways.
- 2023
Agreement for Lufthansa minority stake
[1]Lufthansa Group and the Italian government agreed on a transaction for a 41% holding.
- 2022
Ownership bids emerge
[1]MSC-Lufthansa and Air France-KLM-Certares groups pursued potential investments in the airline.
- 2021
Ticket sales open
[1]ITA Airways opened ticket sales on its new website in August.
- 2021
Commercial launch
[1]ITA Airways began passenger operations on 15 October, following Alitalia’s final day of flying.
- 2021
Airbus fleet strategy announced
[1]ITA announced purchase and leasing arrangements for a new Airbus-centered fleet.
- 2020
Italia Trasporto Aereo established
[1]The Italian government authorized the creation of Italia Trasporto Aereo as a successor to Alitalia.
Products and positioning
Full-service Italian flag carrier and Lufthansa Group network airline
Air transport · 2021
Scheduled passenger services
ITA Airways operates scheduled domestic, European and intercontinental passenger flights from its principal base at Rome Fiumicino, with Milan Linate as a significant focus location. Its network is designed around connecting Italian cities with European and long-haul destinations through a full-service network-carrier model.
Air transport · 2021
Air cargo capacity
Cargo is carried through the airline’s passenger fleet and network rather than through a separately described freighter operation. This provides freight capacity between Italy and the European and intercontinental markets served by ITA Airways.
Loyalty programme · 2021
Volare
Volare was ITA Airways’ original frequent-flyer programme. It ended on 31 March 2026 when ITA became integrated with Lufthansa Group’s Miles & More programme.
Loyalty programme · 2026
Miles & More integration
From 1 April 2026, ITA Airways operated as an integrated Miles & More partner following its entry into Star Alliance and deeper incorporation into Lufthansa Group.
Marketing campaigns
- 2024Inspired by Alitalia
Italy · International
ITA Airways began using the “inspired by Alitalia” positioning in its brand presentation, acknowledging the predecessor’s heritage while retaining ITA’s separate corporate identity.
Outcome. Used as a heritage-oriented brand message.
Brand decisions
2026
End Volare and adopt Miles & More integrationGeneration changeBackground
The airline’s integration into Lufthansa Group required a common loyalty framework.
Action taken
Volare ended on 31 March 2026 and ITA became a fully integrated Miles & More partner from 1 April.
Aftermath
Customers were moved into the Lufthansa Group loyalty ecosystem.
2025
Move from SkyTeam to Star AllianceStrategyBackground
Lufthansa Group ownership made alignment with Star Alliance more suitable than continued membership in SkyTeam.
Action taken
ITA announced its departure from SkyTeam and prepared for full Star Alliance membership.
Aftermath
ITA joined Star Alliance on 1 April 2026 and integrated its loyalty offering with Miles & More.
2023
Accept Lufthansa Group minority investment proposalM&ABackground
ITA’s ownership process attracted competing bids, while the Italian government sought a strategic airline partner.
Action taken
The government and Lufthansa agreed to a transaction for Lufthansa to acquire 41% of ITA Airways.
Aftermath
The European Commission approved the deal in 2024 and Lufthansa completed the acquisition in January 2025.
2021
Create a legally distinct successor to AlitaliaStrategyBackground
The Italian government needed a national carrier after Alitalia’s insolvency and faced European Union concerns about continuity and state support.
Action taken
ITA was established as Italia Trasporto Aereo, with transfers of assets and activities subject to regulatory requirements and competitive processes.
Aftermath
The airline launched under the ITA Airways name and a new livery rather than simply continuing Alitalia’s public identity.
2021
Commit to an Airbus-centered fleetProduct launchBackground
ITA needed to replace inherited aircraft and establish a more modern fleet for domestic, European and long-haul operations.
Action taken
The airline announced orders and leasing arrangements covering Airbus A220, A320neo, A330neo and A350 aircraft families.
Aftermath
ITA developed an all-Airbus fleet strategy and progressively expanded its new-aircraft programme.
Recent events
- 2026
ITA Airways joins Star Alliance[1]
Product launch
ITA Airways became the 26th Star Alliance member on 1 April 2026 and integrated its loyalty offering with Miles & More.
- 2025
Lufthansa Group completes 41% acquisition[1]
M&A · Leadership change
Lufthansa Group completed the purchase of 41% of ITA Airways, making the Italian airline part of its network-airline group.
- 2025
ITA Airways leaves SkyTeam and prepares for Star Alliance[1]
Other
ITA announced its exit from SkyTeam and began preparations to join Star Alliance as part of its Lufthansa integration.
- 2024
European Commission approves Lufthansa investment[1]
M&A · Regulation
The European Commission approved Lufthansa Group’s acquisition of a stake in ITA Airways, subject to the applicable competition process.
- 2023
Lufthansa Group agrees to acquire a minority stake[1]
M&A
Lufthansa and the Italian government agreed on a transaction that would give Lufthansa Group an initial minority holding in ITA Airways.
- 2023
ITA Airways sues Aeroitalia over branding[1]
Lawsuit
ITA Airways brought a legal action concerning branding it considered confusingly similar to the former Alitalia identity.
- 2022
ITA Airways Flight 611 incident at JFK[1]
Other
An ITA Airbus A330 struck an Air France Boeing 777 at John F. Kennedy International Airport; the ITA aircraft continued to Rome and was found to have wing damage after landing.
- 2021
ITA Airways begins commercial operations[1]
Product launch · Other
ITA Airways began flying on 15 October 2021, replacing Alitalia as Italy’s flag carrier.
- 2021
ITA Airways joins SkyTeam[1]
Other
The new airline entered the SkyTeam alliance on 29 October 2021 during its initial operating period.
- 2021
Former Alitalia employees protest ITA transition[1]
Other
Former Alitalia employees who were not rehired protested the launch and staffing arrangements of the successor airline.
Sources3 sources
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