Sunday, July 7, 2024 This past week marked a significant development in the aviation industry as the European Commission gave the green light to Lufthansa’s acquisition of ITA Airways . This move will ultimately result in Lufthansa owning the entirety of the Italian national airline, expanding its already substantial portfolio that includes carriers such as Austrian Airlines, SWISS, and Brussels Airlines. This acquisition holds broad implications not only for the Italian aviation sector but also for global connectivity to Italy.
In a discussion with Simple Flying, Andrea Giuricin, a transport consultant based in Italy, emphasized the critical role this acquisition plays in bolstering the Italian aviation sector and securing its future growth. Lufthansa plans to develop a major hub at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport, which is also the main base for ITA Airways. In a recent interview with Corriere, Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr shared his vision of expanding the group’s reach globally, despite their current primary focus on Europe, North America, and Asia, with lesser emphasis on Africa and South America.
The integration of ITA Airways into the Lufthansa Group is set to enhance connectivity, particularly to regions that currently lack strong links with Lufthansa’s network. ITA Airways has been actively expanding its long-haul services, notably launching new routes to Dakar, Senegal, and announcing plans for services to Bangkok, reflecting its strategic focus on enhancing long-di.