Italy’s ITA Airways, now officially part of Lufthansa Group, will be joining five of its stablemates in the Star Alliance by next year, after approval by Star Alliance’s leadership, largely a formality.
ITA, the successor to Alitalia, has been a member of SkyTeam, the alliance led by Delta and Air France, as was Italia. The switch will complete what amounts to a partner swap; late last year, SAS Scandinavian left Star Alliance to join SkyTeam, after taking on new investment by Delta and AirFrance/KLM.
Sixteen of Star Alliance’s 25 member airlines offer service at ITA’s two main hubs at Rome and Milan. Five of the Alliance members are also part of Lufthansa Group.
