Lufthansa Group delivered a non-binding proposal to Parpublica for a minority share in Portugal’s national carrier TAP Air Portugal, hitting the April 2, 2026, deadline in the privatization effort.
Executives from Lufthansa, including strategy chief Tamur Goudarzi Pour, affirmed their commitment this week. They dismissed concerns over the minority portion and the energy crisis, vowing to hold firm on valuation. CEO Carsten Spohr called TAP an ideal fit, citing growth potential in Brazil and Latin America.
Air France-KLM lodged its bid shortly before, while International Airlines Group appears set to exit over strategic mismatches. Portugal aims to offload 44.9% of TAP, reserving 5% for staff, with a winner expected by summer. Bids cover finances, synergies, and EU operator status preservation.
Lufthansa outlined plans for Starlink connectivity upgrades, a maintenance site near Porto, and possible pilot training ties with local forces, positioning Lisbon and Porto for complementary expansion within Star Alliance.