The Portuguese government plans to initiate the privatisation of TAP Air Portugal in the first half of 2025 and is currently engaging with interested airlines to clarify their intentions and goals.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro emphasised the importance of understanding market players’ objectives before proceeding with the sale and aims to finalise consultation efforts by the end of 2024. Its is expected that Lufthansa group will be the front runner, to avoid Lisbon competing with nearby Madrid as a hub is IAG took over the airline.
Infrastructure Secretary Hugo Espírito Santo mentioned that the government intends to establish the terms and restrictions for privatisation by December 2024, with major airlines like IAG, Lufthansa, and Air France-KLM expressing interest.
Montenegro is advocating for full denationalisation of TAP, while the opposition favors partial privatisation, indicating that the government will not support a complete divestment without securing strategic routes and maintaining control over the Lisbon hub.
