Italy’s flag-carrier ITA Airways has received approval to start the integration process into Star Alliance following a verdict by the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board. Once integrated, the airline will expand Star Alliance’s operations in Europe by 360 flights per day. The biggest growth will come, perhaps unsurprisingly in ITA’s home market of Italy.

READ: Lufthansa cleared to take over ITA Airways

Lufthansa bought a 41% share in the airline in January this year, with the option of acquiring the remaining shares in two deals over the next five years. As such, ITA left SkyTeam in favour of Lufthansa-backed Star Alliance.

Celebrating the milestone, Joerg Eberhart, CEO and General Manager of ITA Airways, 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”.

Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer of the Lufthansa Group added: “l am proud that ITA Airways will become the fifth hub airline of the Lufthansa Group to join Star Alliance. As the mentor of the membership process, we will do our utmost to ensure a smooth and swift integration. ITA Airways’ future membership will provide Star Alliance customers with many new opportunities for personalised travel planning. I am confident that ITA Airways will be an excellent addition to the Star Alliance portfolio.”

Upon completing induction, the Star Alliance network will grow to 26 member airlines, offering over 18,000 daily flights connecting 192 countries.