ITA Airways has officially received approval to start the integration process into the Star Alliance airline network following a verdict by the Star Alliance chief executive board. Building on the Italian carrier’s induction into the Lufthansa Group earlier this year, this decision paves the way for its entry into the alliance. The onboarding process will now move at full throttle, according to an announcement.

Theo Panagiotoulias, CEO of Star Alliance, said that ITA is expected to officially join the network as a full member early in 2026. He said that as a gateway to Italy, “ITA’s addition strengthens our global network, offering seamless and connected journeys to more travelers worldwide.”

Joerg Eberhart, CEO of ITA, said, “This is a significant milestone in ITA Airways’ growth, and we look forward to offering our customers the future privileges of the world’s largest airline network.”

ITA Airways will add 360 daily flights to the alliance’s network, further strengthening its footprint in the European region. The biggest growth will come from its home cities, especially Rome and Milan, which are currently served by 16 Star Alliance members collectively.