ITA Airways at Ben Gurion Airport. Photo: ITA Lufthansa Group Takes Steps Forward: While Lufthansa Group has announced plans to gradually resume its routes to Tel Aviv starting June 23, ITA Airways, which recently joined the Lufthansa Group, has chosen a different approach and extended the resumption of flights to Tel Aviv until at least July 6.
The Italian airline announced that members of the Lufthansa Group will return to operations in phases, evaluating the regional situation, but ITA will extend its suspension and continue monitoring security and logistical developments before making a final decision on the return date.
Passengers who have already booked flights to Tel Aviv via ITA can choose between rescheduling at no extra charge or receiving a full refund.
ITA emphasizes that the safety of passengers, crew, and ground staff remains a top priority, hence the close monitoring of the regional situation. The airline apologized for any inconvenience caused to travelers.
Lufthansa Group currently holds 41% of ITA Airways shares, expanding its network as the fifth airline in the group.
The parties agreed in May 2023 that Lufthansa would purchase 41% of ITA Airways. The European Commission recently approved the deal. Other competition authorities outside the European Union have since approved the deal.
The initial phase of investment was completed in January 2025, through a capital increase of 325 million euros. Options to purchase the remainder of ITA Airways shares have been agreed between Lufthansa Group and can be exercised starting this year.
As of January 2025, ITA Airways is part of the Lufthansa Group and will be the fifth airline in the group's network.