The sale of Ita Airways to Lufthansa is expected to receive approval from the EU Antitrust in less than twenty days, making it official. This move will bring the carrier into the third global aviation group, with rumors circulating this week and confirmation from EU sources. The European Antitrust, led by Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, is reportedly inclined to approve the acquisition with certain conditions.
Lufthansa had made an offer last year to acquire 41% of Ita for 325 million euros as the first step in the sale. The deadline for the EU decision was set for July 4th, but communication from Brussels may come earlier, with the rest of the summer dedicated to finalizing the details of the operation.
Competition concerns have been raised by the EU Commission regarding the acquisition, especially concerning routes departing from Milan Linate and Fiumicino. As Lufthansa already owns other airlines, including Austrian, Swiss, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowing, the purchase of Ita could lead to increased route concentration in its portfolio.
Discussions have been ongoing, particularly concerning routes to the United States from Fiumicino, and potential agreements within the European market. Ita/Lufthansa may need to give up slots at Linate to encourage competition in the market. Low-cost carriers like EasyJet, Ryanair, and WizzAir may show interest in acquiring these slots.
Lufthansa sees the acquisition as an opportunity to enter a crucial market outside their domestic sectors and the United States, while Ita sees the partnership as essential for its continued success. The government has supported the operation, recognizing the need for a strong industrial partner for Ita. Failure to secure this deal could have led to a situation similar to the decades of Alitalia’s management, with billions spent by the State to avoid failure.