ITA Airways has launched a major board and management reshuffle speed up its merger with the Lufthansa Group. Effective as of January 1, 2026, the deal will see key executives, including former CEO Andrea Benassi, depart as Lufthansa prepares to increase its stake from 41% to 90% by mid-year.
The Push for Profitability
The old ways of running the airline are being changed. Those changes are led by Lufthansa-appointed CEO Joerg Eberhart. The main aim is to integrate ITA into Lufthansa’s transatlantic joint venture with United Airlines and Air Canada, which is pending U.S. approval. Lufthansa wants ITA to achieve an 8% operating margin.
This shift follows major changes. ITA left the SkyTeam alliance in April 2025 to join the Star Alliance in early 2026.
Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr backed the deal from the start. He said in 2023: “Today’s agreement will lead to a win-win situation for Italy, ITA Airways and Lufthansa Group… As part of the Lufthansa Group family, ITA can develop into a sustainable and profitable airline, connecting Italy with Europe and the world.”
Early Arrival for Integration Benefits
Customers already see merger benefits. Since March 2025, over 100 codeshare routes connect the networks. This gives ITA passengers access to 250 Lufthansa Group destinations. Loyalty programs are now linked too. This lets millions of members from both programs earn points across either airline.
Moreover, passengers enjoy access to each other’s lounges and smoother transfers. ITA now operates from Lufthansa Group terminals in Frankfurt and Munich. ITA is now set to become the southern hub for a major global airline group.
What impact do you think these changes will have on ITA Airways? Let us know in the comments below.
