The race to privatise the national airline TAP Air Portugal has narrowed to two bidders, Lufthansa and Air France-KLM, following the withdrawal of the International Airlines Group (IAG). IAG, which owns Iberia and British Airways, stated that pursuing a minority stake in the Portuguese carrier did not align with its shareholders' interests. The government agency Parpública now has 30 days to review the remaining proposals.
Lufthansa and Air France-KLM remain in race for TAP
Thursday, 2 April 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
Parpública is a state-owned holding company (Parpública - Participações Públicas, SGPS, S.A.) that manages the Portuguese government's equity interests in various companies. It acts as the state's vehicle for handling privatization processes, such as the ongoing sale of a stake in the national airline, TAP Air Portugal.
Sources (7)
- Lufthansa confirms submission of bid for TAP. Race for the Portuguese airline now has two competitorsECO · 2:49pm, 2 Apr 2026
- TAP: Iberia owner out of the race for privatisationRTP Notícias · 7:14pm, 2 Apr 2026
- Iberia owner out of the race for TAP privatisationDiário de Notícias · 6:33pm, 2 Apr 2026
- Owner of Iberia out of the race for TAP. Privatisation will be between Air France-KLM and LufthansaCNN Portugal · 6:27pm, 2 Apr 2026
- Group that owns Iberia and British Airways has abandoned the privatisation of TAPExpresso · 6:00pm, 2 Apr 2026
- IAG does not move forward for TAP. Air France and Lufthansa remain in the raceCorreio da Manhã · 6:15pm, 2 Apr 2026
- TAP privatisation: Lufthansa submits proposal, bringing the number of candidates in the race to twoDinheiro Vivo · 3:09pm, 2 Apr 2026
