ITA Airways Set To Start Integration Into Star Alliance

• Entry for Italy’s national carrier expected in early 2026

Bengaluru – ITA Airways has officially received the green light to begin its integration into Star Alliance, following a unanimous decision by the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board (CEB). This key development comes after ITA’s induction into the Lufthansa Group earlier this year and marks the beginning of its journey into the world’s most extensive airline network.

The integration process is now set to move full speed ahead, with ITA Airways projected to become a full-fledged Star Alliance member by early 2026.

Theo Panagiotoulias, CEO of Star Alliance, shared:

“In early 2026, ITA Airways is expected to officially join the Star Alliance network as a full member. This decision reflects the strong confidence our members have in ITA Airways. As a gateway to Italy, its addition will strengthen our global network and offer more seamless, connected travel experiences worldwide.”

A Major Step for ITA Airways

Joerg Eberhart, CEO and General Manager of ITA Airways, emphasized the significance of this move:

“We are thrilled to join the Star Alliance family and bring the excellence of ‘Made in Italy’ into the network. This is a crucial milestone in ITA Airways’ growth, and we look forward to offering our customers the future benefits of the world’s largest airline alliance.”

Once fully integrated, ITA Airways will contribute 360 daily flights to the Star Alliance network—further expanding its European footprint. This growth will be especially notable in key cities like Rome and Milan, already served by 16 Star Alliance member airlines.

Lufthansa Group Mentors ITA’s Entry

With deep roots in the alliance, the Lufthansa Group is mentoring ITA Airways through this integration process.

Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer of Lufthansa Group, said:

“I’m proud that ITA Airways will become the fifth hub airline of the Lufthansa Group to join Star Alliance. As its membership mentor, we’re committed to a smooth and swift integration. ITA’s future presence will unlock new options for personalized travel across the alliance. I’m confident ITA Airways will be a valuable addition.”

Once onboarded, Star Alliance will grow to 26 member airlines, offering over 18,000 daily flights connecting 192 countries.

A Glimpse at the Air India Group

As part of the evolving global aviation landscape, the Air India Group continues to drive change in Indian skies.

Comprising Air India (full-service international) and Air India Express (low-cost regional), the group represents a new era of Indian aviation. The journey began in 1932, with JRD Tata’s inaugural flight opening the doors to Indian aviation.

Now under Tata Sons’ leadership since 2022, the airline is undergoing a five-year transformation strategy called Vihaan.AI. Key milestones include:

• A record-breaking order of 470 new aircraft in 2023
• The 2024 mergers of AirAsia India and Vistara
• Launch of South Asia’s largest aviation training academy
• A new flying school (2025) and a greenfield maintenance base (2026)
• Full interior upgrades for all existing aircraft

With deep roots in hospitality and innovation, Air India is committed to becoming a world-class global airline with an Indian heart.