(AGENPARL) – ven 17 gennaio 2025 PRESS RELEASE
First meeting of the new Board of Directors of ITA Airways
Rome, January 17, 2025 – The new Board of Directors of ITA Airways convened today, appointed by the
Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of ITA Airways held on January 15 implementing the agreements entered
into in June 2023 and the new corporate governance. The Board of Directors, confirming the directives
provided by the Shareholders’ Meeting, has appointed Sandro Pappalardo as Chairman and Joerg Eberhart
as Chief Executive Officer.
Following the acquisition by Deutsche Lufthansa AG (“Lufthansa”) of a 41% stake in ITA Airways share capital,
the entry of the Italian airline into the Lufthansa Group, leader in European aviation, has officially been marked.
“Today marks a significant milestone for ITA Airways and for Italy,” said Sandro Pappalardo, Chairman of
ITA Airways. – A new chapter begins for the Company which, in just three years since its launch as a startup, has achieved remarkable results, earning the trust and investment of a major industrial partner like
Lufthansa. With the backing of the new Board of Directors, to whom I extend my best wishes, and the
Company’s Management, we will continue ITA Airways’ journey of growth, strengthened by the full support of
the Lufthansa Group. Our goal is to continue representing Italy in the world and to make our passengers
prouder than ever to fly with us”.
“We are excited about the result achieved, which marks a historic moment for ITA Airways and for the entire
air transport sector in Europe – said Joerg Eberhart, CEO of ITA Airways – The Company is now stronger,
and, thanks to the excellent results achieved so far, ready to face new challenges in a very competitive market,
especially domestically. The Lufthansa Group, alongside ITA Airways, is more robust than ever, and I am
confident that, thanks to synergies with the other carriers in the group, we will be able to seize important
growth opportunities, relying on one of the youngest and most efficient fleets in Europe and on highly skilled
professionals.”
Italy confirms its role as a strategically important market, representing the fourth-largest air traffic market in
Europe. The collaboration with the Lufthansa Group will enable ITA Airways to expand its global presence,
leveraging the Group’s international leadership while simultaneously enhancing the Fiumicino hub, a symbol
of Italian airport excellence and continuous development. The integration will ensure better connectivity
between Italy, Europe, and the rest of the world, offering a premium service that combines Lufthansa’s high
global standards with ITA Airways’ expertise and Made in Italy style. This alliance strengthens the Group’s
position as the fourth-largest airline operator globally, creating significant operational and commercial
synergies, while also supporting a shared commitment to reducing CO2 emissions.
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).