Ita Airways starts 226 job cuts, deal cuts it to 180

Italian airline Ita Airways (41% owned by Lufthansa) has opened a collective redundancy procedure covering 226 of its 5,269 employees (10 pilots, 90 cabin crew, 126 ground staff), citing higher fuel costs and the use of artificial intelligence. Update (05.11.2026): an agreement with the unions limits departures to 180, all voluntary; those leaving receive unemployment benefit for up to 24 months, a top-up from the air transport solidarity fund and a one-off bonus, together up to 90 to 92% of pay (La Voce di New York, 29.10.2026; ANSA, 05.11.2026).