Lufthansa Group has submitted a bid to Portuguese state-owned investment company Parpública to acquire a minority stake in TAP Air Portugal.
The group said the aim is to build a long-term partnership with TAP Air Portugal and sustainably secure the future of the carrier as Portugal’s national airline. It also plans to strengthen Lisbon’s position as a strategic Atlantic hub and expand connectivity with Latin America, Africa, North America and other regions.
Airlines within Lufthansa Group operate 353 weekly flights to Portugal and employ more than 500 people in the country. The group is also expanding its operations in Portugal, where it is building a Lufthansa Technik maintenance facility near Porto.
Carsten Spohr, Chief Executive Officer, commented: “Lufthansa Group values its long-standing, trust-based strategic partnership with Portugal. For decades, we have invested in Portugal, created and secured skilled jobs, and connected Portugal with Europe. An investment in our Star Alliance partner TAP Air Portugal is therefore a natural next step. We want to strengthen Portugal’s national airline as a member of Lufthansa Group and as a leading company in South Atlantic routes, with Lisbon serving as a strategic hub. Through our track record with Swiss International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and ITA Airways, we have demonstrated how Lufthansa Group’s European integration secures the future and growth of our home markets and hub airports.”
