ANA and Lufthansa Group to add ITA Airways to Their Europe Japan Joint Venture

ITA Airways takes another step towards becoming part of the Lufthansa Group. The strategic Japan Europe Joint Venture of All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Lufthansa Group (LHG) will be expanded to include ITA Airways by the Lufthansa Group as of autumn of this year. A corresponding agreement was signed the previous day at the IATA Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro.

Expansion of the Europe–Japan Joint Venture
- ANA and Lufthansa Group will add ITA Airways to their strategic joint venture starting Autumn 2026.
- This move was formalized at the IATA Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro.

Key Benefits for Travelers
- ITA Airways’ hub at Rome Fiumicino will become a new gateway, offering shorter and more frequent connections between Japan and Europe.
- The joint venture now covers ITA’s domestic Italian routes, Maghreb destinations, and its Rome–Tokyo Haneda long-haul service.
- Customers of ANA, Lufthansa, SWISS, and Austrian Airlines will be able to book and combine ITA flights seamlessly.

Network & Connectivity
- The joint venture will expand to 160 weekly long-haul flights between Japan and Europe.
- ITA’s feeder flights into Rome will improve access to Southern Europe, the Mediterranean, and North Africa.
- ANA will provide onward domestic connections within Japan for ITA passengers.

Statements from Leaders
- Juichi Hirasawa (ANA CEO): Highlighted the strengthened partnership and new gateway to Rome, enhancing access to Italy and beyond.
- Joerg Eberhart (ITA Airways CEO): Called it a milestone in ITA’s international development, boosting connectivity to Asia-Pacific.

Background
- The ANA–Lufthansa joint venture began in 2012, later joined by SWISS and Austrian Airlines.
- Japanese authorities have already granted antitrust immunity for this expansion.

In short, this partnership makes Rome a central hub for Europe–Japan travel, giving passengers more flexibility, better connections, and integrated services across five airlines.