Amesterdam, Sept. 29, 2025 (Lusa) - The CEO of Air France-KLM, Ben Smith, acknowledged the possibility of establishing a maintenance plant ("MRO") or expanding Transavia's operations at secondary airports, such as Porto.
When asked if it was part of his plans to invest in a maintenance plant in Portugal, like Lufthansa Technik, during a presentation to journalists, Smith began by recalling that as an airline they already invest in different maintenance facilities in "various places around the world", such as Morocco and Florida in the USA.
"So opening a maintenance facility in Portugal could be an option," he admitted, pointing out that Air France-KLM's fleet includes aeroplanes similar to those of TAP.
He also pointed out that "the cost and skilled labour environment in Portugal is very attractive", and opened the door to strengthening operations at other bases in the country, giving the example of Transavia, which also belongs to the group, in Porto.
"It's not a factory, but that's not our business," he pointed out.
Investment in the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is also on the group's list of direct investments in Portugal, and it is looking for a partner.
The manager also addressed the issue of Lisbon's airport infrastructure, recognising capacity limitations, but stating that "there are ways to increase efficiency without building a new airport from scratch", such as by operating with larger planes.
Along with Air France-KLM, Lufthansa, and IAG, the owner of Iberia and British Airways, has already shown interest in the privatisation of TAP, which involves selling up to 44.9% of the airline's capital.
The specifications also stipulate that 5% of the capital will be reserved for employees, in accordance with the Privatisation Law, and the future buyer will have pre-emptive rights over the unsubscribed share.
Founded in 2004, the Air France-KLM group resulted from a merger between the French and Dutch airlines, maintaining decision-making centres in Paris and Amsterdam.
*** Lusa travelled at the invitation of Air France-KLM *** SCR/ADB // ADB.
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