Portugal could pick winner of TAP privatisation as soon as Wednesday (updated)

Deutsche Lufthansa AG

13/10/2026 12:34

Portugal to pick winning bidder 'very soon', minister says
Air France-KLM, Lufthansa submitted final bids in September
TAP has landing slots connecting Lisbon with Brazil, Africa, US
Adds timing from sources in paragraph 2; Lufthansa executive's quotes, airport context in paragraphs 8-10
LISBON, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Portugal will pick "very soon" the winning bidder for a 44.9% stake in flag carrier TAP from rivals Air France-KLM AIRF.PA and Lufthansa LHAG.DE, Secretary of State for Infrastructure Hugo Espirito Santo said on Tuesday. 
Two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters the government will take the decision on Wednesday.
"We are very, very fast approaching the conclusion of that process," Santo told delegates at the World Aviation Festival in Lisbon. "Very soon we will be announcing our decision, a key pillar for the future of aviation in the country."
He described the ideal buyer as a partner with the scale, investment capacity and international reach to strengthen the airline's competitiveness.
He would not say when the decision would be announced. Portugal's cabinet usually holds its weekly meetings on Thursdays, but could convene and take a decision at any time.
Air France-KLM and Lufthansa submitted final bids for the stake in late September.

PORTUGAL SEEKS AIRPORT NETWORK EXPANSION
TAP's principal appeal is its prized landing slots connecting Lisbon with Brazil, Portuguese-speaking Africa and the US. 
The government has required TAP's future partner to expand operations and connectivity across Portugal's airport network, not only at the Lisbon hub, but also in Porto, Faro, the Azores and Madeira.
Tamur Goudarzi-Pour, Lufthansa Group's executive vice president for strategy, declined to comment on the TAP privatisation at the event.
Speaking to reporters, he welcomed Portugal's plans to expand Lisbon's existing airport and build a new one and said that additional capacity was crucial to support future growth.
In January 2025, Portugal's government asked ANA, the country's airports operator owned by France's Vinci, to submit a formal proposal by January 2028 for the construction and operation of a new international airport in the Lisbon region at no cost to the state.
The airport, planned for Alcochete, around 40 km (25 miles) east of Lisbon, was initially expected to cost up to €9 billion ($10 billion) and begin operations in 2034.
($1 = 0.8940 euros)

 (Reporting by Sergio Goncalves and Joanna Plucinska; Editing by Andrei Khalip and Jan Harvey)
 ((sergio.goncalves@thomsonreuters.com; +351213509204; Reuters Messaging: sergio.goncalves.reuters.com@reuters.net/))