Lufthansa Group and ANA to Add ITA Airways to Europe-Japan Joint Venture
The Lufthansa Group and All Nippon Airways (ANA) have announced the expansion of their strategic Europe-Japan Joint Venture to include ITA Airways, Italy’s national carrier. The move signals a significant consolidation of air travel partnerships between European and Asian markets, with Rome positioned as a key connecting hub.
Starting in Autumn 2026, the expanded venture will introduce shorter and more frequent connections between Japan and Europe via ITA Airways’ hub at Rome Fiumicino Airport. The arrangement promises to offer travellers a wider range of routing options and improved connectivity across both continents.
A corresponding agreement was signed at the IATA Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, underscoring the significance of the deal within the global aviation industry. A press release from ITA Airways confirmed the terms of the partnership, describing it as a strategic milestone for the airline.
The inclusion of ITA Airways in the joint venture follows the Lufthansa Group’s acquisition of a stake in the Italian carrier, which has been undergoing a transformation since replacing the defunct Alitalia brand. For ITA Airways, membership in the Lufthansa-ANA venture represents a major step in establishing itself as a competitive force in long-haul international travel.
For ANA, one of Japan’s two largest airlines, the expanded partnership strengthens its European network at a time when demand for travel between Asia and Europe continues to grow. The venture allows participating airlines to coordinate schedules, pricing, and capacity on routes between Europe and Japan, offering passengers seamless connections and a broader choice of flights.
The deal also reflects a broader trend in the aviation industry toward deeper cooperation between carriers through joint ventures and alliance expansions, as airlines seek to compete more effectively against low-cost rivals and Gulf carriers that have reshaped global travel patterns in recent decades.
Rome Fiumicino, ITA Airways’ primary hub, is expected to benefit significantly from the arrangement, potentially drawing additional traffic from Japanese travellers heading to southern Europe and the Mediterranean. The Italian government, which retains a significant stake in ITA Airways, has backed the partnership as part of its broader strategy to position Rome as a major European aviation gateway.
The expanded joint venture is subject to regulatory approvals in relevant jurisdictions, though analysts expect the process to proceed smoothly given the existing framework of the Lufthansa-ANA partnership.
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