(AGENPARL) – lun 03 febbraio 2025 PRESS RELEASE
ITA Airways unveils new commercial initiatives in synergy with Lufthansa Group
Partnership between Volare and Miles & More, with additional benefits for passengers
The Italian airline announces its exit from the SkyTeam Alliance
Rome, February 3, 2025 – Today, ITA Airways hosted its first press conference of 2025 at its headquarters in
Rome Fiumicino. The event was presented by Sandro Pappalardo, Chairman of ITA Airways, Joerg Eberhart,
CEO of ITA Airways, and Carsten Spohr, CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG.
The press conference, attended by national and international media, was an opportunity to celebrate the
official entry of ITA Airways into the Lufthansa Group, after the closing of the transaction in January and to
present the first commercial initiatives resulting from the synergies between the Italian carrier and the Group,
to the benefit of passengers.
During the event, the new partnership between ITA Airways’ loyalty program Volare and Lufthansa Group’s
Miles & More was announced. This collaboration allows the 2.7 million Volare members to earn and redeem
points on flights operated by Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines. Similarly, the 36
million Miles & More members can now earn and redeem points on ITA Airways flights.
During the 2025 IATA summer season, starting on March 30, 2025, additional benefits will be available to
passengers which include:
Lounge Access: ITA Airways passengers will have access to approximately 130 Lufthansa Group
lounges on their travels, while Lufthansa Group passengers will be able to use ITA Airways lounges.
Terminals at Frankfurt and Munich Airports: ITA Airways will move its operations to Lufthansa
Group terminals at both German hubs, making transfers for passengers easier and faster. At other
Lufthansa Group hubs, ITA Airways already offers its flights in the same terminal areas where
Lufthansa Group airlines are handled.
Codesharing: Codeshare agreements will be introduced between ITA Airways and Lufthansa Group
carriers. This synergy will allow passengers to combine flights operated by multiple Group carriers,
providing ITA Airways passengers with access to around 250 destinations, while Lufthansa Group
customers will find it easier to reach destinations served by ITA Airways’ network.
Harmonized Connections: Flights between Lufthansa Group hubs (Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich,
Vienna, and Brussels) and ITA Airways’ primary airports (Rome Fiumicino and Milan Linate) will see
harmonized frequencies and schedules, offering passengers a broader choice and shorter
connections between flights.
During the press conference, it was also announced that ITA Airways has completed its exit from the SkyTeam
alliance. The exit phase, which will end on April 30, 2025, has been designed to ensure a structured and
efficient process, prioritizing continuity in dedicated customer services. ITA Airways will continue to collaborate
with selected SkyTeam member airlines through existing bilateral agreements, maintaining the benefits
available to its customers.
In the coming weeks, ITA Airways will begin the process of joining Star Alliance, the world’s largest global
aviation alliance, with completion expected by early 2026.
“I am pleased to attend ITA Airways’ first press conference as Chairman,” said Sandro Pappalardo,
Chairman of ITA Airways. “This role is a great responsibility for me, and even after just a few days, I have
gained a deeper understanding of the importance of this position and the challenges we will face moving
forward, in a climate of total and deep collaboration with the Lufthansa Group. I am confident that the airline
will soon achieve its goals and offer passengers and the country greater connectivity and recognition
worldwide”.
“Today we are announcing the first commercial initiatives dedicated to our passengers, who will begin
benefiting from synergies with the Lufthansa Group,” said Joerg Eberhart, CEO of ITA Airways. “Starting
today with the partnership between Volare and Miles & More, we will continue in the coming months with
additional benefits such as lounges access and codeshare flights. Customers flying with ITA Airways will now
have access to exclusive advantages and an even more complete flying experience. We have also finalized
another historic step for ITA Airways: we have exited the SkyTeam alliance and will soon begin the process
of joining Star Alliance. But this is just the beginning – we will continue to work to seize further growth
opportunities and offer our customers new benefits in the coming weeks”.
For press information:
Pietro Caldaroni, Chief Communication & Institutional Relations Officer
About ITA Airways
ITA Airways is the Italian reference carrier. The Company is 59% owned by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and 41% by Deutsche Lufthansa
AG. ITA Airways operates both passenger and cargo air transport services, providing Italy with high-quality connectivity to international destinations,
supporting tourism and foreign trade, as well as domestic connectivity within the Country, also leveraging integrated mobility.
Through strong digitization of processes to ensure the best possible experience and personalized services, ITA Airways places customer service at
the core of its strategy. This is combined with a commitment to sustainability, which encompasses environmental aspects (such as new green and
technologically advanced aircraft and the use of sustainable fuels), social aspects (promoting equality and inclusion for a gender-neutral Company),
and governance aspects (integrating sustainability into strategies and internal processes).