< Reveal sidebar

SkyTeam Loses Another Airline

After just four years, ITA Airways will leave the alliance.

An ITA Airways Airbus A350 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

The SkyTeam alliance will have one fewer airline later this year. After the Lufthansa Group finalized its 41% stake in ITA Airways, the Italian carrier will pivot to the Star Alliance.

ITA’s “exit phase” will take place through April 30 and is “designed to ensure a structured and efficient process,” the carrier said on Monday. The airline expects to join the Star Alliance by early 2026.

“ITA Airways will continue to collaborate with selected SkyTeam member airlines through existing bilateral agreements, maintaining the benefits available to its customers,” the company stated in a news release.

The Lufthansa Group’s subsidiaries are mostly Star Alliance members. Lufthansa itself was also a founding member of the group in 1997.

ITA joined SkyTeam in 2021 in line with its predecessor Alitalia. In October 2024, the alliance lost one of its early members, Czech Airlines, which ceased operations.

But SkyTeam recently gained SAS as one of its newest members last year. The Scandinavian airline left the Star Alliance following the completion of an acquisition by the Air France-KLM group.

Ryan Ewing
Follow Ryan
Latest posts by Ryan Ewing (see all)

Author

  • Ryan Ewing

    Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

    View all posts

Subscribe to AirlineGeeks' Daily Check-In

Receive a daily dose of the airline industry's top stories along with market insights right in your inbox.

Related Stories

Duffy: FAA Keeping All Safety Positions

Newly-appointed Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy confirmed the Federal Aviation Administration is keeping all safety-related positions in place. The news…

FAA Limits Helicopter Traffic Around DCA

The Federal Aviation Administration is limiting helicopter flights around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport following the deadly collision between PSA…

A Southwest 737 aircraft

Southwest Reaffirms ‘Merit’ Hiring Amid DEI Scrutiny

Southwest is the latest airline to double down on commitments to merit-based hiring. The Dallas-based carrier’s comments come after increased…