Lufthansa is set to acquire a stake in Italian state-owned airline ITA Airways on January 13, a source familiar with the situation told Reuters today, bringing to a close years of talks.

German aviation giant Lufthansa Group is set to take a stake in Italian state-owned airline ITA on January 13 following years of negotiations over a deal, dpa has learnt. Lufthansa chief executive Carsten Spohr confirmed the date during an employee event,

During a shareholders’ meeting on December 20, ITA Airways approved a capital increase that would be offered to Lufthansa Group, enabling the German airline group to acquire an initial stake in the Italian carrier.

Lufthansa is set to a acquire a stake in the Italian state-owned airline ITA on Jan. 13, bringing to a close years of talks, Germany's DPA news agency reported on Wednesday. Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr announced the date at an employee event,