Latest news and stories about aviation in government in Portugal for expats and residents.
The government will extend the current ground handling licenses held by Menzies at Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports. This decision follows an injunction filed by a competing company, with officials aiming to prevent potential operational issues during the busy summer season.
Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Miguel Pinto Luz confirmed that the government is ready to proceed with the privatization of the national airline, TAP, even if only one binding proposal is received. The government is currently awaiting a report from the public holding company Parpública regarding the non-binding offers submitted by Lufthansa and Air France-KLM.
Miguel Pinto Luz is Portugal's Minister of Infrastructure. On Feb 24, 2026 he told journalists in Viseu that works on the A1 motorway in the Coimbra area would be fully completed and traffic restored to four lanes by the end of that week.
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.
The Regional Government of the Azores (Governo Regional dos Açores) has directed the airline group SATA to begin a new privatization process for Azores Airlines through private negotiation. This move follows a previous unsuccessful attempt and aims to find a stable private partner for the carrier. Travelers to and from the archipelago should note that the government seeks to reduce its financial burden while maintaining essential air links.
SATA is the Azores regional airline group that operates inter‑island services and international routes under the Azores Airlines brand, and is the primary air carrier linking the Azores with mainland Portugal and parts of Europe. For expats living in or visiting the islands, SATA provides the main year‑round connections and is often the only practical option for travelling between islands or to the continent.
IAG has withdrawn its interest in acquiring TAP, leaving Air France-KLM and Lufthansa as the remaining contenders for the Portuguese airline's privatisation.
As the deadline for non-binding bids for TAP's privatisation arrives, major European airline groups face a shifting economic landscape, with Lufthansa confirming its continued interest despite broader sector challenges.
The government has issued a formal warning to ANA regarding outdated passenger forecasts for the new airport, expressing concerns that the infrastructure will be undersized upon completion.
Data reveals that less than 18% of flights operating during the restricted midnight to 6:00 AM window at Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport between 2023 and 2025 met the required 'force majeure' criteria.
The Azores government has directed SATA to launch a new privatisation process for Azores Airlines via private negotiation, following the failure of previous attempts due to unacceptable risks.
The privatisation jury for Azores Airlines has recommended rejecting the Atlantic Connect Group's sole admitted bid — an offer of €17 million for 85% of Azores Airlines' share capital — on the grounds that it does not safeguard the interests of SATA and the Azores region. SATA said it is analysing the panel's recommendation.
The Left Bloc deputy contested the recently released figures regarding the 36 million euro losses in ground handling, stressing that the revenue generated by the service was not accounted for.
Low-cost airline Ryanair abandoned its operations in the Azores on March 29th due to “high airport fees” and the “inaction” of the Portuguese government.
Air France-KLM welcomes IAG's decision to drop its bid for TAP. For the Franco-Dutch consortium, the exit of the Spanish owner of Iberia and British Airways from the privatisation race is seen as positive, providing more room for manoeuvre. CEO Benjamin Smith confirmed that the group remains committed to submitting a strong bid, noting that the reduction in competitors does not change their strategy. Meanwhile, the Portuguese government has authorised Air France-KLM and Lufthansa to proceed to the next phase of the privatisation process, with Minister Miguel Pinto Luz stating that the financial offer will be a decisive factor in the final selection.
For a flag carrier like TAP, participating in this ecosystem would represent a powerful commercial, financial, and prestige lever.
Miguel Frasquilho argues that the sale of TAP is vital. The economist and former chairman of TAP believes that the State should not manage businesses and the company must follow market rules.
The Portuguese government has secured a three-month supply of jet fuel to mitigate the impact of the ongoing crisis affecting the aviation industry.
The Prime Minister also considered that the proposals provide “a positive signal from the point of view of the company's economic valuation”.
The International Energy Agency stated that 'so far, we have lost 13 million barrels of oil per day'. Negotiations between Israel and Lebanon will take place in the United States between ambassadors. We are following the developments of the situation in the Middle East here.
Air France-KLM and Lufthansa have been invited to submit binding offers for TAP. The initial proposals are very equivalent in value and industrial plan. The government wants to close the sale by September.
At the end of the Council of Ministers meeting where the Government approved a resolution inviting both companies to submit binding proposals.
The Council of Ministers approved a resolution this Thursday inviting Air France-KLM and Lufthansa to submit binding proposals for the purchase of TAP.
Miguel Pinto Luz admitted that the financial valuation criterion “will be absolutely central”.
The privatisation process of TAP enters a new phase, with two groups invited to submit binding offers for being “fully aligned” with the Government's requirements for the sale of the national airline, TAP. These are Air France-KLM and Lufthansa.
The government aims to reach a final decision on the future buyer of TAP by early September. Lufthansa and Air France-KLM have made proposals that are “equivalent” from a financial, strategic, and industrial perspective. Pinto Luz acknowledges the impact of the war in Iran on the privatisation proceeds and states that the price offered by the candidates will be “essential” in the selection process.
The government intends to sell up to 49.9% of the company's capital, of which 44.9% is for a strategic investor and up to 5% is reserved for employees.
The Portuguese government has invited Air France-KLM and Lufthansa to submit binding offers for a 44.9% stake in TAP. Ministers highlighted the strategic importance of integrating the airline into a major European aviation group, noting that both initial proposals are highly competitive. Consequently, the final purchase price is expected to be the deciding factor in the selection process. The government aims to conclude the process by early autumn, with the bidders now entering a 90-day period for due diligence and final proposal submission.
Both groups applied for the privatisation of TAP at the beginning of the month. Now, the Government led by Luís Montenegro is expected to invite them to submit a formal offer. The decision is expected to be made at this Thursday's Council of Ministers meeting.
Portugal will be represented at the virtual meeting by the Minister of Infrastructure, Miguel Pinto Luz.
