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Lufthansa to consider raising stake in ITA to 90%, CEO states

Lufthansa will think about raising its stake in Italy's ITA Airways to 90%,. beginning with early next year, the CEO of the German airline. said in an interview released on Thursday.

Carsten Spohr was speaking after his company won EU. antitrust approval to purchase 41% of state-owned ITA for 325 million. euros ($ 350 million).

For us, the choice for the 90% begins in early 2025, Spohr. informed Italy's Corriere della Sera, including that he would like the. Italian government to keep a stake in ITA.

When Lufthansa concurred its 41% deal with Rome's authorities. in 2015, it said it was looking to acquire full control of ITA. at a later date.

In a different interview with Il Sole 24 Ore daily, ITA. Chairman Antonino Turicchi said the closing of the deal for. Lufthansa's initial financial investment would happen in November,. adding that Lufthansa would have the possibility of raising its. stake to 90% one year after the closing.

Italian Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti stated on. Wednesday that his government wished to maintain some oversight. on ITA to protect nationwide interests.

In Thursday's Corriere della Sera, Spohr said he would like. to keep the support of the Italian government for the very first. two years of Lufthansa's participation in ITA. Then we will. go over together what to do, he added.

Spohr decreased to state who will be selected as ITA's new CEO. after Italian press reports suggested that Joerg Eberhart,. Lufthansa's head of strategy and former boss of Air Dolomiti,. would get the job.

(source: Reuters)