Estarreja, Portugal, July 31, 2026 (Lusa) - The prime minister today welcomed the fact that the TAP privatisation process had, for the first time, attracted interest from Europe's largest airlines, adding that the bids submitted point to a valuation higher than expected.

«This is not the first time there has been a privatisation process involving that capital. It is not the first time steps have been taken to maximise TAP's potential. However, it is the first time that Europe's major airlines have shown interest. Of the three largest, two have demonstrated that interest,» said Luís Montenegro.

The prime minister was speaking during the public presentation of the completion of Bondalti's REPower Chemicals project to decarbonise the company's facilities at the Estarreja Chemical Complex, in the district of Aveiro.

On Wednesday, Air France-KLM and Lufthansa submitted binding bids on the final day of the deadline for TAP's privatisation process, which is now entering its third and final mandatory stage.

Montenegro postponed the disclosure and assessment of the respective bids until a later date, but added that «all indicators point to a valuation higher than what was expected given the company's potential».

He also said that the integration of the company into any of the bidding airlines would «exponentially boost TAP's purpose and performance».

JDN/ADB // ADB.

Lusa