- ITA Airways posted a net profit of around €61m in the third quarter of 2026
- Revenue rose 6pc to €995m
- Operating profit reached €94m
- The carrier recorded a net loss of about €80m over the first nine months
- Lufthansa is preparing to increase its ownership to 90pc in early 2027
ITA Airways has reported a positive operating profit of €94m for the third quarter of 2026, holding steady with its performance from the same period last year despite elevated aviation fuel costs. Driven by strong summer travel demand, the Italian carrier’s third-quarter revenues climbed 6pc year-on-year to €995m. The financial performance showcases operational resilience as the airline continues integration into the Lufthansa Group.
Operating profit reached €98m for the first nine months of the year, a 65pc jump compared to the first nine months of last year. Total revenue exceeded €2.5bn over the nine-month period, up 4pc year-on-year. The final net bottom line continues to absorb negative non-operating pressures, primarily from Euro to US Dollar exchange rate fluctuations and aircraft leasing liabilities, resulting in a net loss of about €80m over the first nine months.
Aviation fuel expenditures have been a major headwind, with ITA expecting to spend an additional €150m to €170m on fuel over the course of 2026. The airline shielded its quarterly operating margin using an aggressive fuel hedging strategy that covered more than 80pc of its fuel requirements for the year. CEO Joerg Eberhart noted that the carrier expects a full-year positive operating result slightly outperforming 2025, though because fuel hedging protection will be significantly lower in 2027, the airline has called on the European Union to temporarily suspend carbon emission allowance costs.
Joerg Eberhart shared “The carrier expects a full-year positive operating result slightly outperforming 2025.”
