The Lufthansa Group has formally expressed its interest in bidding in the privatization of TAP Air Portugal, according to a press release on 20 November 2025. The group submitted its letter to Parpública, the Portuguese state holding company, saying it is seeking to “initially” acquire a minority stake, and further a long-term partnership that will “secure the successful future of TAP as Portugal’s national airline.”
Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, said the group “welcomes the Portuguese government’s privatization process” and argued that TAP’s status as a “long-standing partner in the Star Alliance” and its own “extensive investments in Portugal” mean that Lufthansa is “the best partner for TAP and Portugal.”
Positioning itself as the natural choice, the German-headquartered firm pointed to Lufthansa’s 70-year history in Portugal, its current 280 weekly flights, and more than 400 skilled employees there. It also highlighted “the construction of a new Lufthansa Technik site for the repair of engine parts and aircraft components in Santa Maria da Feira near Porto,” which it said would push its job creation in Portugal to 1,000 by 2030.
Air France-KLM and British Airways owner IAG have also expressed interest in buying into TAP. The long Portuguese privatisation story was relaunched in the summer of 2025 as a sale of 44.9% to an airline and 5% to be sold to TAP employees. Various attempts at sales since 2015 have been characterised by interest from groups wanting to expand into the valuable South American marketplace.
Lufthansa goes further, framing the potential TAP acquisition as “of great strategic importance to the European aviation industry. It sees the investment as a chance to boost cooperation and strengthen “Lisbon’s position as an Atlantic hub in the Lufthansa Group network,” it said. It also noted the opportunity to expand connectivity between Europe and other regions of the world, such as “South America, Africa, and North America.”
The German group’s expression of interest also leaned heavily on its track record for “successfully strengthening national airlines such as SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and most recently ITA Airways, while preserving their national identities.” It emphasised its own position as “global number one outside the US,” and said it “offers the necessary size, experience, and financial stability to create sustainable value and strengthen TAP Air Portugal’s role as an ambassador for the country around the world.”
Those words were designed to impress Portuguese authorities, who said in June 2025 they expect the sale agreement to preserve TAP’s brand identity, network, and longevity, as well as Lisbon’s role as an international hub. The process is anticipated to conclude within 12 months following four main phases: pre-qualification, proposal submission, binding offers, and final negotiations.
