Lufthansa AG announced on Tuesday that it is exercising its option to acquire a majority stake in ITA Airways this June. This move will increase Lufthansa’s ownership share from 41 percent to 90 percent. The Lufthansa Management Board approved this decision during its previous day’s meeting, following the requisite approval from the Supervisory Board.
The acquisition of the remaining 49 percent shareholding will proceed at the pre-agreed purchase price of 325 million Euros. The completion of the transaction is still subject to regulatory approvals, particularly from the European Commission and the US Department of Justice (DOJ), and is currently expected in the first quarter of 2027.
In addition to the ownership change, Lufthansa also announced that ITA Airways will undergo full organizational and financial integration into the Lufthansa Group.
For context, Lufthansa has held a minority stake of 41 percent in ITA Airways since January 2025. The right to acquire an additional 49 percent was established back in the purchase agreement signed with the Italian Ministry of Economic and Finance (MEF) in June 2023.
Lufthansa is now exercising this option, which results in the majority acquisition of the Italian flagship carrier. The MEF will remain the seller and will initially retain the remaining ten percent of ITA Airways shares. Furthermore, Lufthansa has the option to acquire this final ten percent stake in 2028.
