**Volotea vs. ITA Airways: A Trademark Dispute with Industry Implications** Spanish low-cost carrier Volotea has filed a lawsuit against ITA Airways and its loyalty subsidiary, Volare Loyalty, before the court of Alicante, Spain, alleging trademark infringement over the use of the word "Volare." The case also extends to the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) in Luxembourg, where Volotea challenges the registration of the mark. This legal battle, while centered on brand identity, offers valuable insights for aviation professionals, including ATPL and ATC students, into the regulatory and commercial complexities of the airline industry. **The Core of the Dispute** Volotea has operated a digital magazine named "Volare" since shortly after its founding in 2011, using it as an editorial showcase for its brand. ITA Airways, on the other hand, launched its own loyalty program under the same name in 2021, replacing Alitalia's historic MilleMiglia program. The Italian carrier's program grew to approximately three million members within three years. Volotea argues that the coexistence of these homonymous products in the same sector—air transport—creates a risk of confusion and infringes on its trademark rights. The Spanish carrier seeks an injunction to stop ITA's use of the name and claims approximately €450,000 in damages, a figure that could be adjusted based on the court's decision. **A Shifting Landscape** Notably, ITA Airways has already transitioned its loyalty program to Miles & More, the program of the Lufthansa Group, as part of its gradual integration into the German carrier. According to industry sources, the Volare program is expected to be fully phased out by the first half of 2026, with members urged to use their points before the cutoff. This development reduces the practical scope of the litigation: the question is no longer whether ITA can continue using "Volare" in the future, but whether its use between 2021 and the switch to Miles & More caused concrete harm to Volotea. ITA Airways contests any violation and has filed a counterclaim against Volotea in the Spanish court. **Parallel Action Against the EUIPO** In addition to the Spanish proceedings, Volotea has taken the case to the General Court of the Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxembourg, challenging the EUIPO's decision to register the "Volare" trademark for ITA Airways. The low-cost carrier argues that the office should not have accepted the registration because a similar sign already existed in the same market segment—namely, communication and services related to air transport. Volotea seeks the annulment of the registration and an order for the EUIPO to pay the costs. **Relevance for ATPL and ATC Students** This case underscores the importance of intellectual property rights in aviation, a topic often overlooked in technical training. For ATPL students, understanding trademark disputes can be relevant when dealing with airline branding, codeshare agreements, or loyalty program partnerships. ATC students may encounter similar issues in the context of airspace designations or service names. The case also illustrates the legal frameworks that govern airline operations, including EUIPO procedures and cross-border litigation, which are part of the broader regulatory environment that aviation professionals must navigate.