The alliance between Ita Airways and Lufthansa has suffered an unexpected setback. European sources confirm that the package containing the final plan of the agreement was not delivered to Brussels as expected, thus blocking the approval by the European Union. The reason for this delay is attributable to a sudden interruption of the talks that occurred during the night.
The necessary documents for the green light had already been signed by the two airlines, along with rival carriers such as easyJet, Air France and IAG. However, the lack of a final signature by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) prevented the process from moving forward. According to what was communicated to ANSA, Lufthansa has declared that it is ready to adhere to the 2023 agreement with the MEF to acquire a 41% stake in Ita Airways. Furthermore, the German airline has completed the necessary corrective measures within the established deadline.
“The deal has been blocked at the final stage, but discussions are continuing,” the sources said.
However, the talks were not without tension. As reported by Corriere.it, Lufthansa would have requested a downward revision of the total amount of the agreement, initially set at 829 million euros. The emissaries of the Italian Treasury would have rejected this proposal. The parties are currently discussing some contractual clauses related to the sum to be paid following the first capital increase reserved for Lufthansa. The current situation raises questions about the future of the partnership between the two airlines and the impact it may have on the European aviation market.
As the negotiations continue to evolve, it will remain essential to monitor future developments. The success of this agreement could not only strengthen Ita’s position in the European landscape, but also redefine the competitive dynamics between continental airlines. It will be interesting to see whether the parties can find a satisfactory compromise that allows them to overcome this impasse and move towards a fruitful collaboration.
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