Several times repelled, the privatization of the national company Tap Air Portugal is officially launched. The promulgated decree establishes the transfer of 49.9% of the operator to one or more strategic investors, 5% of which will be reserved for employees. European aerial giants are already in the ranks. It should be said that the company has serious assets. In particular, its strategic time spaces for Brazil (25% of European capacity), African -speaking countries Lus and the United States from its center of Lisbon, which the Portuguese government wishes to preserve and develop.
Tap transported 16 million passengers last year and generated a profit of 54 million euros against a record loss of 1.6 billion euros in 2021. made by the Covid-19 pandemic, the company had been renationalized in an emergency in 2020 through an aid of 2.55 billion euros of the Portuguese state. The European Commission He had validated her In exchange for the application of a drastic restructuring plan.
Burned by Covvid
The Portuguese state hopes to recover at least its commitment in this transfer process. And the government wants to go quickly: the sale must be completed no later than 2026 and the first offers presented within six months. Privatization had already aroused the interest of the three main European air groups, Lufthansa, Air France-KLM and IAG (British Airways, Vueling …) that held meetings with the government during the last year.
Air France-KLM has reaffirmed its interest several times, Franco-Strayland airline declares in a press release ready to participate in the process when all the details have been communicated. IAG, the British Airways mother company, also reiterated that “it is delighted to examine the conditions of Tap’s potential sale and carefully study all the details and conditions of the process as soon as they are available.”
However, the winner will have to show the white leg. You will have to preserve the Tap brand, develop the network, the fleet and strengthen its presence in airports in Lisbon, Porto and Faro. This sale is the last episode of a high concentration of the European sky. Air France-KLM recently indicated that he wanted to participate in the capital of Swedish SAS of 19.9% (acquired in the summer of 2024) at 60.5% And look at the Air Europa file. Lufthansa on your part Ita seized (Ex-alitalia) After a battle against Air France and 10% Baltic air.
Source: BFM TV
