Latest news and stories about tap privatisation in infrastructure in Portugal for expats and residents.
Lufthansa Group has received approval to acquire a stake of up to 49.9% in TAP Air Portugal for €1,201 million, edging out Air France-KLM. While the Portuguese state retains majority control, the German carrier has signalled readiness to take a majority position in the future, marking a pivotal moment in the privatisation saga of the national airline.
easyJet views the planned privatisation of TAP as a strategic opening to expand its presence in Lisbon and across Portugal. With the airline operating 96 routes to and from Portuguese airports in 2025, easyJet could deepen low-cost connectivity, increase frequencies on key city-pairs and compete more directly with a newly structured national carrier. The shift promises greater competition, potential downward pressure on fares and improved network connectivity, but also raises questions about airport slot availability, regulatory oversight and how market dynamics will affect legacy and low-cost carriers alike.
The company ensures it intends to make Lisbon its sole hub for flight distribution in Southern Europe
The Minister of Infrastructure stated this Tuesday (April 7) that the privatisation of TAP could move forward even if only one interested party remains in the tender, ensuring that the Government has the necessary conditions to conduct the process. Miguel Pinto Luz, speaking in parliament, considered it 'premature' to draw conclusions about non-binding proposals and refused to speculate on the outcome of the tender, noting that the Government is awaiting the report from Parpública. 'We will wait to see what these proposals say,' he stated, highlighting that proposals from 'two of the largest European groups,' referring to Air France-KLM and Lufthansa, are still under evaluation. Questioned by Livre MP Jorge Pinto about a potential scenario with only one competitor in the binding phase, he admitted this possibility, arguing that the criterion will be the State's interest. 'If we reach the binding phase and a group appears that respects all dimensions... and also offers an absolutely exceptional value [...I think we] should do it,' he said. 'The goal is to ensure that the operation is carried out with security and transparency, regardless of the number of competitors,' he added. TAP privatisation: Germany's Lufthansa moves forward with a proposal, bringing the number of candidates to two.
Two groups remain in the privatisation process: Air France-KLM and Lufthansa. Additionally, Eurico Brilhante Dias, parliamentary leader of the PS, accuses Luís Montenegro of being “focused on propaganda”.
IAG, the owner of Iberia and British Airways, has announced it will not submit a non-binding bid for TAP, effectively withdrawing from the process. An official source told Lusa that after careful consideration, IAG decided it was not in the best interest of its shareholders to pursue a stake in TAP, choosing instead to prioritise growth opportunities within its existing brands and asset-light developments. The race for TAP's privatisation now continues between Air France-KLM and Lufthansa, as IAG confirmed that its strategy requires a path to full ownership, which the current sale of a minority stake does not provide.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro stated that the privatisation of TAP will not move forward unless the airline's commitment to all national airports is guaranteed. During the 80th anniversary of Porto Airport, he emphasised that this requirement is a fundamental pillar of the process. Montenegro also urged Vinci, the airport concessionaire, to accelerate investments across the country, noting that Portugal is their most profitable operation globally, and reiterated the government's focus on the rapid construction of the new Lisbon airport alongside development in Porto, Faro, and the autonomous regions.
Home News Lufthansa maintains interest in TAP privatisation Lufthansa maintains interest in TAP privatisation Lufthansa has confirmed its interest in participating in TAP's privatisation, acknowledging industrial partnerships and the possibility of new investments in Portugal, including the creat
