ITA Airways has received official approval to begin the process of joining the world's largest airline alliance – Star Alliance.
The decision was made by the alliance's board of directors and comes following ITA's membership in the Lufthansa Group earlier this year. With the official approval now in place, the process is expected to move forward rapidly, with full membership anticipated in early 2026, making ITA the fifth airline in the Lufthansa Group to be part of Star Alliance.
ITA Airways is set to add 360 daily flights to the alliance, a move that will strengthen Star Alliance's presence in Europe. The airline's main operational hubs – Rome and Milan – are already important gateways where 16 alliance member airlines operate.
Upon ITA's joining, the alliance will consist of 26 airlines and offer over 18,000 daily flights to 192 countries.
"By early 2026, ITA Airways is expected to officially join as a full member of the Star Alliance network," noted Theo Panagiotoulias, CEO of Star Alliance, adding: "The decision of our board of directors reflects the strong trust alliance members have in ITA Airways. As the gateway to Italy, its membership strengthens our global network and the alliance's connectivity for passengers around the world."
Joerg Eberhart, CEO of ITA Airways, added with excitement: "We are thrilled to join the Star Alliance network and bring the quality of 'Made in Italy' to the alliance while expanding its global presence. This is a significant step in the growth of ITA Airways, and we look forward to offering our customers the benefits of the world's largest network."
"I am proud that ITA Airways will become the fifth airline in the Lufthansa Group to join Star Alliance," summarized Dieter Vranckx, Commercial Director of the Lufthansa Group, stating: "As a mentor in the process, we will do everything possible to ensure a smooth and rapid integration. ITA's future membership will offer alliance passengers new opportunities for customized travel planning. I am confident that ITA will be an excellent addition to the Star Alliance portfolio."