The government of Italy has signaled to the Lufthansa Group and MSC shipping group of Switzerland it can proceed with negotiations to acquire a majority share of newly-created ITA Airways.

The government however wants to retain a small share.

The government has also drafted a decree which lists ways it can offload its majority share of ITA Airways, including a direct sale or a public offer, without setting a deadline for a final deal.

ITA Airways on January 24, 2022 announced it had received an Expression of Interest from the MSC Group and Lufthansa to acquire the majority of ITA Airways. The MSC Group has agreed with Lufthansa its participation in the partnership on terms to be defined during the Due Diligence.

Both the MSC Group and Lufthansa have expressed the wish that the Italian Government maintains a minority stake in the Company. Furthermore, the MSC Group and Lufthansa have requested 90 days of exclusivity to work on this Expression of Interest.

Top Copyright Photo: ITA Airways Airbus A320-216 EI-DTN (msn 4143) CDG (Manuel Negrerie). Image: 956718.

ITA Airways aircraft slide show:

ITA Airways photo gallery: