TAP to sell 49% of shares to major EU airlines

Portugal to sell 49% of TAP Air Portugal:

In 2015, TAP Air Portugal became a national airline. Eight years later, in 2023, a decision was made to reprivatise the airline,  which got delayed due to political unrest. After holding exploratory talks with three major European airline groups: Air France-KLM, Lufthansa, and IAG, who are the current contenders in the deal, the sale is set to happen in March of 2025. 

Recent Airline Acquisitions in the EU:

The potential privatization of TAP is part of a broader trend of consolidation in Europe’s aviation sector. Over the past few years, several major airline groups have expanded their portfolios through acquisitions and partnerships. The parties interested in buying TAP are not new to the business. Lufthansa, for example, is keen on expanding its presence in European and Mediterranean markets. Specifically, they recently finalised their acquisition of 41% stakes in ITA Airways in January 2025. Moreover, Air France-KLM acquired a 19.9% non-controlling stake in SAS Airline in August of 2024. IAG, which owns British Airways, Iberia, and Vueling, has been especially active in strengthening its foothold in the Iberian Peninsula.

Tap goes private: What does this mean for passengers?

These sales and acquisitions of airlines bring positive changes for the passengers. Firstly, it allows passengers to book flights across multiple airlines with a single ticket. This means passengers don’t need to book separate tickets if they are flying on both airlines, which makes the trip very simple! Secondly, to accommodate transfer times between airlines with these kinds of agreements, there may be terminal changes, much like how Lufthansa operates in the same terminal as ITA in Rome Fiumicino and Milan Linate Airports.

Have you had issues with TAP Air Portugal flights in the last 6 years? If your flight was cancelled less than 14 days in advance or delayed by over 3 hours, you could be eligible for up to 600 euro in compensation, according to EU law! It’s not too late, claim now!