Travel: Aviation news in Portugal

The investment firm Apollo Global Management has reached an agreement to acquire the European low-cost airline EasyJet for approximately 6.6 billion euros. The deal follows the withdrawal of the competing bidder, Castlelake, which exited the process without providing a formal reason. This acquisition concludes months of uncertainty for the airline as the aviation sector navigates rising fuel costs.

A TAP Air Portugal flight bound for Boston, USA, made an unscheduled landing on Terceira Island in the Azores this Sunday. The airline described the diversion as a precautionary measure to assess a technical issue, and passengers are expected to continue to their destination as soon as possible.

Update: Technical issue identified in TAP flight diversion

Reports indicate the emergency landing was triggered by overheating in the aircraft's cargo hold. This incident marks the third technical issue involving the airline's fleet within the past week.

Air France-KLM and Lufthansa have submitted binding proposals to acquire a 49.9% stake in the Portuguese flag carrier, TAP Air Portugal. The state-owned holding company Parpública, which manages the government's business interests, will now evaluate the bids based on financial and strategic criteria before submitting a report to the government within 30 days.

Workers from Carris, Carristur, and cabin crew represented by the National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (Sindicato Nacional do Pessoal de Voo da Aviação Civil or SNPVAC) have voted to join the general strike called by the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores Portugueses or CGTP) on June 3rd. Passenger transport companies across the country are also mobilizing for the stoppage, which protests the government's proposed labour reform package.

A Jet2.com Boeing 737-800 carrying 141 passengers from the UK to Gran Canaria made an emergency landing at Gago Coutinho International Airport in Faro this Thursday. The pilot declared an emergency after smoke was reported in the cabin, prompting the activation of the airport's emergency intervention plan. All passengers disembarked safely, and the aircraft is undergoing a technical inspection.

TAP Air Portugal has resumed direct flights to Caracas, Venezuela, following a six-month suspension due to a United States-issued security alert. The resumption marks the airline's 50th anniversary of operating the route, which officials describe as vital for the Portuguese diaspora. TAP plans to increase service in July with a new weekly direct flight to Funchal.

Infrastructure limitations at Lisbon airport (Aeroporto de Lisboa) have resulted in 12% of requested flight slots for the summer season going unfulfilled. The National Air Navigation (Navegação Aérea de Portugal or NAV) warned that these capacity constraints are penalizing the tourism sector. Travelers should note that the lack of slots may limit flight options and keep ticket prices high during the peak season.