Bloomberg
• Henrique Almeida, Sonja Wind
Portugal’s Council of Ministers selected Lufthansa Group to acquire a minority stake in TAP Air Portugal, ending a privatization contest with Air France-KLM. Reports put the proposed share at 44.9% and the bid at €1.2 billion; the government said Lufthansa’s proposal was financially stronger.
TAP Air Portugal
Latest source-backed stories
Lufthansa’s interest in TAP, Korean Air’s expansion and mounting cost pressures offer a snapshot of forces shaping the airline industry. The developments raise broader questions about consolidation, growth and the economics confronting carriers, though the available summary provides no deal terms or specific cost figures.
High activity
Portugal’s Council of Ministers selected Lufthansa Group to acquire a minority stake in TAP Air Portugal, ending a privatization contest with Air France-KLM. Reports put the proposed share at 44.9% and the bid at €1.2 billion; the government said Lufthansa’s proposal was financially stronger.
Portugal is expected to name a buyer for a 44.9% interest in TAP Air Portugal, with Lufthansa reportedly ahead of Air France-KLM. SIC reports Lufthansa’s all-cash offer outpaces its rival’s bid; the Portuguese government’s decision was expected Wednesday.
High activity
Air France-KLM and Lufthansa have submitted improved binding offers for stakes of up to 49.9% in TAP Air Portugal, closing the bidding phase. Portugal plans to select a strategic partner by mid-October, while Air France-KLM proposes Lisbon as its sole southern European hub.
Air France-KLM is prepared to offer Portugal a stake in the airline group as part of its proposed acquisition of TAP, according to a person familiar with the matter. The structure is intended to strengthen Air France-KLM’s position against a competing offer from Deutsche Lufthansa.
High activity
Air France-KLM has offered Lisbon a share-swap option in connection with TAP Air Portugal, signaling a potential path for the Portuguese carrier’s ownership and strategic alignment. The proposal puts the structure of any transaction, rather than only its valuation, at the center of discussions.
Create a free account to see more recent TAP Air Portugal stories and keep bookmarks in one place.
