Frankfurt, Germany, April 1, 2026 (Lusa) – Lufthansa, Germany's largest airline and one of the leading carriers in Europe, has said that it will not give up on TAP Air Portugal, confirming it will submit a non-binding proposal by Wednesday, saying that it is the best-equipped partner to develop the Portuguese flag carrier.
Lufthansa's Head of Strategy, Tamur Goudarzi Pour, told journalists that the group had a "strong interest" in the process and intended to submit an initial bid this week.
Lufthansa was comfortable with the Portuguese government’s privatisation model, which allows for the sale of up to 44.9% of the capital, with 5% reserved for employees, he said, adding that a minority stake would not be a deterrent, and that many integration benefits could be achieved even without immediate majority control.
The announcement comes amid uncertainty regarding other potential buyers.
Reports from Bloomberg suggested that IAG (Iberia/British Airways) might not submit a bid, while Air France-KLM, the other interested group, has repeatedly reiterated its intention to participate in TAP’s privatisation.
Additionally, Goudarzi Pour said that Lufthansa’s position as Europe’s largest aviation group provided a natural advantage, offering TAP greater resilience against fuel price volatility, geopolitical constraints, and economies of scale in technology and distribution.
Lufthansa also indicated that it planned to invest in modernising the customer experience, including in-flight connectivity via Starlink technology, which would provide Wi-Fi across all aircraft, dismissing concerns regarding the downsizing of TAP, saying that its strategy focuses on expansion rather than diverting traffic to Frankfurt.
Furthermore, the airline highlighted the strategic potential of Lisbon and Porto, particularly as hubs connecting Europe, North America, South America, and Africa, noting that their geographical location offers a natural advantage.
It also emphasised TAP’s significance in Brazil, which remains a central pillar of the airline's strategic interests.
Regarding operational constraints, Lufthansa acknowledged the need for short-term expansion at Lisbon's current airport, saying a new airport would be inevitable for long-term growth.
Lufthansa pointed to ITA Airways, which acquired a 41% stake in the Italian carrier in January 2025 for €325 million, with an option to further strengthen its position.
In response, ITA’s CEO, Jörg Eberhart, said that joining a major group provided easier access to aircraft and better supplier terms, saying that airlines of TAP's size could no longer compete effectively in isolation.
Addressing labour concerns, Goudarzi Pour confirmed meetings with Portuguese unions, adding that the goal was not to cut staff but to grow the company.
Non-binding proposals must be submitted to Parpública, a company with 100% public capital, responsible for managing state-owned equity stakes, by 2 April and must include financial offers and future valuation mechanisms (earn-outs), industrial and strategic plans, expected synergies, and guarantees that TAP will maintain its status as a European Union air operator
*** The journalist travelled at the invitation of Lufthansa *** SCR/MYAL // ADB.
Lusa
