The European Commission has approved easyJet, IAG International Airlines Group, and Air France-KLM as the beneficiaries of a package of routes and slots surrendered by ITA Airways and Lufthansa Group, clearing the final formal obstacle to the German group's partial acquisition of the Italian flag carrier. Inside sources told the Corriere della Sera daily that implementation will take at least until mid-January 2025.

The Directorate General of Competition (DG COMP) of the EU administrative body approved easyJet as the "remedy taker" for short-haul routes between Rome/Milan and selected European airports, as well as for slots at Milan Linate surrendered by ITA as a precondition for the takeover. As a part of the agreement, Lufthansa Group and ITA Airways will enter into a special prorate agreement (SPA) with easyJet to facilitate connections via Linate to secondary airports in Italy.

The British low-cost carrier immediately announced plans to open bases at both Linate and Rome Fiumicino starting in the Summer 2025 season. It will base five aircraft at the former and three at the latter. Three of the eight aircraft will be wet-leased from ITA Airways.

The airline currently has two bases in Italy, at Milan Malpensa and Naples Capodichino, both operated by easyJet Europe.

In turn, IAG and Air France-KLM have been approved as the remedy takers for long-haul routes between Italy and North America. The agreement focuses on interline agreements and slot swaps, and does not mandate that either of the holdings launches direct transatlantic flights from Italy.

The selection of beneficiaries was the final condition the Commission outlined in its July 2024 approval in principle of Lufthansa's acquisition of a 41% stake. With this step now cleared, Lufthansa Group and the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance can proceed to implement the transaction.

While not a part of the remedy taker agreement, the takeover will also see an increased role of Lufthansa Group's Italian unit Air Dolomiti. Corriere reported that the airline will focus on feeding the Fiumicino hub going forward. The holding also plans to sign a strategic agreement with SkyAlps to ensure feeder traffic on thinner Italian and regional routes. However, this step is contingent on the Bolzano-based operator of DHC-8-Q400 turboprops obtaining its IOSA certification.