History of ITA Airways in Timeline

ITA Airways is the flag carrier of Italy, owned by the Italian government (via the Ministry of Economy and Finance) and the Lufthansa Group. It operates as Italia Trasporto Aereo S.p.A. and represents Italy's presence in the global aviation industry.

1946: Alitalia in Operation

Alitalia, Italy's flag carrier, had been in operation since 1946.

2009: Became Private Company

In 2009, Alitalia became a private company after reorganizing and merging with the bankrupt Italian airline Air One.

2015: Alitalia Reorganization

Alitalia reorganized again in 2015 after receiving an investment from Etihad Airways, with Air France-KLM already owning a minority stake.

May 2017: Alitalia Placed on Auction Block

On 17 May 2017, Alitalia was officially put on the auction block after the government ruled out nationalizing the airline.

March 2020: Government Ownership

In March 2020, the Italian government took ownership of Alitalia.

October 2020: Reorganization Decree

On 10 October 2020, the Italian government signed a decree to allow Alitalia to reorganize as Italia Trasporto Aereo S.p.A.

October 2020: ITA Expected to Buy Alitalia Assets

On 28 October 2020, it was reported that ITA was expected to buy several assets from Alitalia – Società Aerea Italiana S.p.A., including the brand and the flight codes of Alitalia and Alitalia CityLiner, the IATA ticketing code (055), the MilleMiglia frequent-flyer program, and airport slots at London Heathrow.

2020: Airline Founded

In 2020, ITA Airways was founded as a successor to the bankrupt Alitalia.

January 2021: European Commission Letter

On 8 January 2021, the European Commission sent a letter calling for Italy to launch an open tender to shed Alitalia assets.

August 2021: Ticket Sales Opened

On 26 August 2021, ITA officially opened ticket sales on its newly launched website.

August 2021: Applied for Permit with USDOT

On 27 August 2021, ITA applied for an Exemption and a Foreign Air Carrier Permit with the United States Department of Transportation, intending to start flying to various US cities.

September 2021: Signed Agreement with Airbus

Announced on 30 September 2021, ITA Airways signed an agreement with Airbus with an order for 10 Airbus A330neo, 11 Airbus A320neo and 7 Airbus A220. ITA Airways also announced an agreement with Air Lease Corporation and other aircraft leasing companies to take up to 56 aircraft, including the Airbus A220, Airbus A320neo, Airbus A321neo, Airbus A330neo, and Airbus A350.

September 2021: Strategic Partnership with Airbus

On 30 September 2021, ITA announced a strategic partnership with Airbus and detailed its fleet plans.

October 2021: Planned Start of Flight Operations

A document stated that before the start of its flight operations, planned for 15 October 2021, ITA would acquire certain assets from Alitalia – Società Aerea Italiana S.p.A., and that ITA would also participate in a public tender to acquire the "Alitalia" brand.

October 2021: Joined SkyTeam Alliance

ITA officially joined the SkyTeam alliance on 29 October 2021, but for the time being only for one year until new owners have been found and a long-term strategy has been made.

October 2021: Took Possession of Aircraft

On 15 October 2021, ITA Airways took possession of 49 aircraft from Alitalia in the wake of that airline's shutdown on 14 October 2021, including 18 Airbus A319-100s, 25 Airbus A320-200s, and 6 Airbus A330-200s.

October 2021: New Brand Presented

On 15 October 2021, the day flight operations began, ITA Airways' new brand was also presented, including the new aircraft livery and color scheme.

October 2021: Protest by Former Alitalia Employees

On 22 October 2021, former Alitalia employees protested against ITA. Company CEO Alfredo Altavilla called the protest "a national shame".

December 2021: Started Carrying Flights with the Pope

Starting on 2 December 2021, ITA started carrying flights with the Pope when making pastoral and state visits to a country starting with Pope Francis, replacing Alitalia for most outbound papal flights.

2021: Member of SkyTeam Alliance

ITA Airways was a member of the SkyTeam alliance from 2021 until 2025.

2021: Acquisition of Alitalia brand

ITA acquired the Alitalia brand in the fall of 2021.

January 2022: Acquired Alitalia Brand

It was reported in January 2022 that ITA had acquired the Alitalia brand in the fall of 2021 for €90 million, with plans to resume using the name in some fashion.

January 2022: Expressed Interest in Ownership

On 24 January 2022, ITA announced that MSC Group and Lufthansa Group had expressed an interest in becoming majority owners of the Italian airline.

March 2022: Interested in Investing

On 10 March 2022, Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM also expressed interest in investing in ITA, by teaming up with investment firm Certares.

May 2022: Deadline Ended

After the deadline ended on 23 May 2022, only MSC/Lufthansa and Air France-KLM/Certares bid for ITA.

August 2022: Exclusive Talks Initiated

As of 31 August 2022, the Italian government has stated their preference for the Air France-KLM/Certares bid, initiating exclusive talks with the group.

2022: Planned Flights

ITA planned to fly to Los Angeles and Washington-Dulles in 2022.

January 2023: Lufthansa Bid

On 19 January 2023, Lufthansa Group submitted a bid to the Italian Government to begin acquiring a minority share in ITA Airways.

May 2023: Agreement Reached

On 25 May 2023 Lufthansa Group reached an agreement on the acquisition of a 41% stake in ITA Airways.

October 2023: Sued Competitor Airline

In October 2023, ITA Airways sued competitor airline AeroItalia over its branding and name.

2023: Planned Flights

ITA planned to fly to Chicago-O'Hare and San Francisco in 2023.

January 2024: Closure of Route

After the closure of the route between Milan Malpensa Airport and New York—JFK on 8 January 2024, to simplify operations, all intercontinental destinations are operated exclusively from Rome Fiumicino Airport.

July 2024: European Commission Approval

The acquisition by Lufthansa Group received approval from the European Commission on 3 July 2024.

September 2024: Began Using Tagline

In September 2024, ITA Airways began using the tagline "inspired by Alitalia".

November 2024: Serves Destinations

As of November 2024, ITA Airways serves 73 destinations, in Italy, Europe, Africa, Asia, North and South America.

January 2025: Lufthansa Group Acquisition Completed

In January 2025, Lufthansa Group completed the acquisition of a 41% stake in ITA Airways.

February 2025: Volare Program Integration

From 3 February 2025, the 2.7 million members of the frequent flyer program Volare can earn and redeem their points on all flights operated by Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian and Brussels Airlines. At the same time, Miles & More members can earn and redeem miles on all ITA Airways flights.

February 2025: Joined Lufthansa Group

On 3 February 2025, ITA Airways announced that it would join the Lufthansa Group, and that it would leave SkyTeam for the Star Alliance.

April 2025: SkyTeam Exited

The airline officially exited SkyTeam on 30 April 2025.

December 2025: ITA Airways Operates Greenest Fleet

As of December 2025, ITA Airways operates one of the greenest, all-Airbus, carbon-efficient fleet.

2025: Planned Destinations

ITA plans to serve 74 destinations and 89 routes by 2025.

2025: SkyTeam Membership Ending

In 2025, ITA Airways announced it would end its membership in SkyTeam.

2025: Acquired by Lufthansa Group

On 17 January, Lufthansa Group acquired 41% of ITA, making ITA Airways the fifth network airline of the Lufthansa Group.

2026: Star Alliance

ITA Airways' official accession to the Star Alliance is planned for the first half of 2026.

2026: Clearance from the Star Alliance

On 2 April, it was reported that ITA Airways has officially received clearance from the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board (CEB) to initiate the integration process into the airline alliance. The expected date of joining will be in early 2026 as a full member.

2026: ITA Airways Will Join Star Alliance

On 3 February, Lufthansa Group and SkyTeam announced that ITA Airways had left the airline alliance. Following a transitional period, ITA will join Star Alliance in first half of 2026.

2029: Further Acquisition Option

Between 2025 and 2029, there is the option for Lufthansa Group to acquire an additional 49% of ITA, and a further option to acquire the remaining 10% after 2029.