The Italian airline ITA Airways has officially received approval to begin the process of joining Star Alliance. This was confirmed following a decision by the airline alliance's Executive Board. The integration process follows the Lufthansa Group's acquisition of ITA Airways earlier this year. Full membership in Star Alliance is expected to be completed by early 2026.
With ITA Airways' accession, the Star Alliance network will be expanded by 360 daily flights. The Rome and Milan hubs will particularly benefit from the integration, as they are already served by 16 alliance member airlines. The Lufthansa Group is supporting ITA Airways as a mentor in the accession process and sees the Italian airline as a valuable addition to the global network.
Through its future membership, ITA Airways will gain access to the benefits of the world's largest airline alliance. Travelers will benefit from improved connecting services, expanded frequent flyer programs, and more choice on international routes, among other things. With the integration of ITA Airways, the Star Alliance will grow to a total of 26 members, offering over 18.000 daily flights between 192 countries.