Its financial stability and the return to profits are good signs for the Portuguese because it gives us confidence in the future of TAP and the economy as a whole, Pedro Marques told reporters.

Business newspaper ‘Negócios’ wrote on Monday that the aviation business enabled the TAP holding company to make a profit of €21.2 million in 2017, after a loss of €27.7 million the year before.

Lusa contacted TAP, but the airline said it preferred not to comment on the figures before the earnings were approved at the general meeting on 9 May.