Air France-KLM, IAG and Lufthansa have April deadline to present non-binding offers

Following the January 2 deadline to present intentions to compete in the TAP part-privatisation race, Europe’s three largest airline groups Air France-KLM, IAG and Lufthansa now have April 2 to make their non-binding offers for the Portuguese airline.

And according to Travel News, the government intends to have a final choice to part-purchase the airline done and dusted by the summer.

The Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz stated on Monday (January 12), that the choice of the buyer for 49.9% of TAP should be completed “by the summer”. ​

The minister also reiterated that “the times of indecision are over” regarding the New Lisbon Airport, guaranteeing that ANA Aeroportos “is meeting all deadlines”, and assured that the suspension of the European Entry/Exit System “has not diminished border control by a millimeter”.

The statements were made during an exclusive lunch for members of the Portuguese Hotel Association (AHP), where the minister outlined the work of his ministry, stressing that, “from the outset, we are thinking about infrastructure in an integrated way.”

Airport: “From now on there are no more postponements possible”

Regarding the new Luís de Camões Airport, to be built in Alcochete, Miguel Pinto Luz was peremptory. ​”It is well known that we have made the decision on the new location. ​The times of indecision are over. ​From now on, there are no more possible postponements, and ANA has to meet the deadlines and is meeting all the deadlines,” he stressed.

Lisbon’s new Luís de Camões Airport is officially targeted for opening around 2034-2035, with the government pushing for earlier completion, while its operator, ANA, initially suggested mid-2037, though they are now working to accelerate the timeline, potentially bringing it to late 2036 or 2037, replacing the current airport Humberto Delgado Airport which has reached capacity.

The new airport is expected to cost between €8.5Bn and €9Bn, with operator ANA estimating this cost in its initial report. The airport will be funded through increased airport fees, a 30-year concession extension (until 2092), and private financing, avoiding direct state funds.

A government technical commission initially estimated around €6.1Bn, ANA’s higher figure covers the full project, aiming for completion by 2037.