The Government is analyzing several models that allow the State, “without intervention in the company”, to guarantee the maintenance of the routes considered strategic by TAP, within the framework of privatization. The commitment was made this Thursday by the Minister of Infrastructure during the debate on the budget proposal in Parliament, where the privatization of TAP was an issue addressed by almost all parties. And Pinto Luz even revealed that he already received more than a dozen expressions of interest from Europe, including Portugal, and from outside Europe.
Miguel Pinto Luz was challenged by the Liberal Initiative deputy, Carlos Guimarães Pinto, to indicate five strategic routes operated by TAP in which there are no competing services from other companies.
“I know where you want to go. The market has service providers on some of these routes, but we have different opinions. We believe that we must have a flagship company that ensures operations to these destinations,” even if there are changes in the market that could lead to the end of the services provided by competitors. “The Portuguese Government does not give up having a strategic company that, even with changes in the market,” it is possible to “impose that these routes be maintained.”
At IL’s insistence, Pinto Luz ended up mentioning not five, but four TAP strategic routes: Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, in Brazil, and New York and San Francisco, in the United States.
Citing countries such as Ireland, Spain and Italy that have guaranteed these “strategic” routes in writing, the minister reaffirmed words already said by Luís Montenegro: “We will not privatize TAP at any price,” although there is concern about maximizing income. and recover as much as possible of the aid granted by the State. In addition to the routes, the maintenance of TAP’s operational and legal center (headquarters) in Portugal are other red lines in this privatization about which little is known, in addition to commitments that a socialist deputy compared to “the palisades” (La Palice ). ).
Regarding the calendar, Miguel Pinto Luz stated that the Government wants to launch and complete the privatization of the company in 2025. He promised to make the rules of the operation public when the privatization decree-law, planned for the end of this year by the Secretary of State for Infrastructure, is approved, but warned that he will not discuss in public the negotiations that have been carried out. place with competitors.
TAP. Air France-KLM reiterates its interest in privatization after a “very positive meeting” with the Government
Air France-KLM was the last group interested in being received by the Government, which has already heard from the directors of Lufthansa and the AIG group (owner of British Airways and Iberia). “We have listened to all stakeholders and I can assure you that TAP’s reputation is strong” and that the financial situation is improving.
Asked by CDS deputy Paulo Núncio about the number of interested parties in the TAP sale process, the Minister of Infrastructure indicates that representations have already been received from more than a dozen interested parties in Europe, including Portugal, and outside Europe. This is in addition to the three already known groups with which the meetings were public. “It’s a sign that TAP is attractive. We have to be careful”
Source: Observadora
