At the first attempt, Lufthansa, then still in a bidding consortium with MSC, was defeated in terms of the announced entry into Ita Airways. One does not give up and negotiates with the Italian government about the purchase of a majority stake - this time single-handedly.
The Italian government initially thought that the Ferrovie dello Stato should also be involved. According to local media reports, the Kranich group does not want that, but at least wants to take over the majority in order to be able to control Ita Airways. In the first attempt, they were satisfied with a comparatively small minority share.
The interim government initially awarded the contract to the Certares/Air France-KLM/Delta consortium. The exclusive negotiations have since been suspended, meaning that all of the original bidders are back in the running. It is an open secret that Lufthansa is favored by various Italian circles.
While the Kranich Group does not want to comment at all on the Ita Airways negotiations, local media reports that an agreement is in sight. This should include Lufthansa taking over the majority. The state railway FS should not be involved.
It is speculated that Ita Airways could be taken over in several stages along the lines of Brussels Airlines. Initially, the state should remain on board with a minority stake. In phase two, Lufthansa could then buy the rest in order to be able to hold 100 percent. According to the daily newspaper "La Republlica", government circles hope that a binding declaration of intent can be signed at the end of December 2022 or beginning of 2023.