The decision opens up new prospects for growth and competitiveness in the global market.
TAP Air Portugal welcomes the Lufthansa Group, which has been selected by the Portuguese Government as the airline’s future private shareholder and strategic partner.
TAP would also like to thank the Air France/KLM Group for the interest it has shown in the airline, as well as for the professionalism, commitment and diligence with which it has participated in this process.
The decision, announced in the year that TAP celebrates 81 years of operations, represents a significant milestone in the airline’s history and opens up new prospects for growth, scale and competitiveness in the global market.
The Lufthansa Group’s forthcoming acquisition of a stake in TAP will enable the airline to benefit from the scale and expertise of a leading international group, strengthening its development opportunities and its position in the markets in which it operates.
The selected proposal provides for the preservation of the brand, the headquarters in Portugal and the hub in Lisbon, as well as the development of operations in Porto, the expansion of the fleet and the strengthening of the Maintenance and Engineering division.
In the transatlantic market, TAP will benefit from the opportunities arising from its future integration into the A++ joint venture in the North Atlantic, strengthening its competitiveness and creating new prospects for growth.
The decision announced today marks an important stage in the reprivatisation process, which will continue with the signing of contractual agreements and the obtaining of the necessary regulatory approvals, until the transaction is completed and the new shareholder takes up its stake in TAP.
During this period, TAP will remain focused on implementing the 2026–2035 strategic plan, which will continue to guide the airline’s management throughout this phase.
TAP reaffirms its commitment to its customers, employees, partners and suppliers, maintaining safety, service quality and operational reliability as its priorities.
Commenting on this announcement, Carlos Oliveira, Chairman of TAP’s Board of Directors, said: “TAP has reached this point after a challenging journey, marked by profound transformations and by the effort and dedication of its employees, to whom I would like to offer special words of recognition. This decision opens up new prospects for the company’s future. More than simply the arrival of a new shareholder, it is important to ensure that this partnership translates into concrete opportunities for growth, a stronger and more competitive TAP, and the creation of value for Portugal. We still have important steps ahead of us. Until the transaction is completed, we will remain focused on our strategy, our customers and our responsibilities towards the airline. We look to the future with confidence, ambition and a sense of responsibility.”
TAP wishes to thank the Portuguese State, its shareholder, and acknowledges the contribution of all those who have been involved in this process, reaffirming its commitment to continuing to connect Portugal with the world and bringing the world closer to Portugal.
The airline is confidently facing the next stages of the process, maintaining its focus on developing an increasingly strong, competitive and sustainable TAP.
About TAP AIR PORTUGAL
TAP is Portugal’s leading airline and has been a member of Star Alliance since 2005. Operating since 1945, TAP Air Portugal is based in Lisbon, a prime gateway to Europe, situated at the crossroads between Africa and North, Central and South America.
TAP Air Portugal is the world’s leading airline on routes between Europe and Brazil. TAP operates more than 1,250 weekly flights to 89 cities: 10 in North America, 15 in South America, 13 in Africa and the Middle East, seven in Portugal and 43 in the rest of Europe (excluding Portugal).
TAP is firmly committed to modernising its fleet and offering its customers the best product in the industry. The Portuguese airline operates one of the youngest fleets in the world, comprising all of Airbus’s new-generation NEO aircraft: the A320neo, A321neo, A321LR and A330neo, which offer superior efficiency and lower emissions. TAP also operates 19 Embraer aircraft in its regional fleet (TAP Express).
TAP is one of the 20 safest airlines in the world in 2026, according to Airlines Ratings.
TAP Air Portugal has been recognised and awarded the title of Europe’s Leading Airline to Africa, as well as Europe’s Leading Airline to South America, by the World Travel Awards in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.