"Portugal is a large country and a strategic market for Air France-KLM. TAP Air Portugal is an iconic airline that has built a powerful hub in Lisbon, open to the world. Air France-KLM is ready to present its project as part of the TAP privatisation process, which we have been monitoring for quite some time," the official assured, in statements sent to SIC Noticias on 28 February.

The airline's CEO was part of the delegation on the French President's visit to Portugal, whereby the French President also defended an "innovative form of marriage" between Air France and TAP.

"We want to find an innovative way to marry Air France and TAP", said the French head of state at the closing of the Portuguese-French forum, at the Palácio da Bolsa in Porto.

In the same statements sent to the media, the CEO of the Franco-Dutch airline also assured that they have "great ambitions in Portugal", whereby he gave some examples: "We want to strengthen connectivity across the country, not just in Lisbon, and invest sustainably in the local economy."

Furthermore, he assured that the company's objective remains in line with the requirements already imposed by the Portuguese Government.

"We want to maintain and develop the imposing TAP brand and its highly valuable hub (flight operations concentration point), respecting and valuing the knowledge and experience of our employees," he said.

The executive has indicated that the TAP privatisation process will move forward this year, after having been stalled following the fall of António Costa's government.

On 12 February of this year, the Minister of Infrastructure, Miguel Pinto Luz, explained that the Government maintains its position as 100% when it comes to the selling of TAP but wants a "close dialogue" with the PS and is available to find solutions regarding the percentage to be privatised.

Miguel Pinto Luz said that the TAP privatisation process is under "internal evaluation" and that the Government will then publish a decree-law with the rules for the sale, similar to what the previous socialist executive did, in December 2023, and which was vetoed by the President of the Republic.

The Bloomberg agency has already reported that the Government is considering selling at least 49% of TAP's capital, in a privatisation process that should start in March and could be completed by the first half of 2026.