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Air France-KLM, Lufthansa Submit Non-Binding Bids for TAP Air Portugal

Portugal moves to review price offers, job pledges, route plans, and alliance impacts ahead of a summer decision.

Overview

  • Air France-KLM and Lufthansa, which filed proposals Thursday, met the deadline with non-binding offers to buy a minority stake from Portugal’s state holding company Parpublica.
  • The government plans to sell 44.9% of TAP, with another 5% reserved for employees, and aims to choose a preferred buyer by summer.
  • International Airlines Group is reported to be stepping back because a minority stake lacks a clear path to control, matching prior comments from its finance chief.
  • Air France-KLM says it would make Lisbon its only Southern Europe hub, while Lufthansa pitches growth from both Lisbon and Porto without pulling traffic to Frankfurt.
  • The outcome could reshape TAP’s alliance ties and traveler experience, with Lufthansa touting Starlink Wi‑Fi across the fleet and a new maintenance site near Porto that would add skilled jobs.