Lufthansa Group. Photo: Lufthansa Lufthansa Moves Forward on TAP Purchase. Lufthansa Group has officially submitted a letter of interest to participate in the privatization process of Portugal's national airline, TAP Air Portugal. The letter was sent to Parpública, Portugal's governmental holding company, within the scheduled timeline.
The group aims to initially acquire a minority stake in the company as part of a process intended to establish a long-term strategic partnership that will guarantee TAP's future as Portugal's flagship carrier.
Carsten Spohr, Chairman and CEO of Lufthansa, stated: “The Lufthansa Group welcomes the Portuguese government's privatization process. Our goal is to strengthen Portugal's global connectivity, preserve TAP's Portuguese identity, and ensure the airline's sustainable growth."
TAP Air Portugal is a strategically important asset for the European aviation industry. As a long-standing partner in the Star Alliance and through our extensive investments in Portugal, we see the Lufthansa Group as the best partner for TAP and Portugal.”
The Lufthansa Group reports that it has been active in Portugal for over 70 years and currently operates more than 280 weekly flights to and from Portugal. The group employs over 400 staff in the country, with this number expected to reach around 1,000 by 2030, following the opening of a new Lufthansa Technik center near Porto for the repair of engine parts and aircraft components.
According to Lufthansa, a connection with TAP will further strengthen Lisbon's position as a major Atlantic hub in the group’s route network, enabling expanded connectivity between Europe and other regions, such as South America, Africa, and North America.
The Lufthansa Group is considered a leading player in European aviation consolidation processes, having strengthened flagship carriers like SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and most recently ITA Airways while preserving their national identities. As the world's largest aviation group outside the USA, with experience, financial stability, and a broad operational scope, Lufthansa intends to create long-term value and elevate TAP's role as Portugal's ambassador to the world.
TAP Air Portugal. Photo: shutterstock