# Portugal PM welcomes Lufthansa’s interest in TAP, Scholz sees good fit
Author:  Pal Sinha, Barnali 
Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali
Published: 2023-04-20
Category: NEWS
Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/news
Meta Title: Portugal PM welcomes Lufthansa interest in TAP
Meta Description: Portuguese PM welcomes Lufthansa's interest in TAP privatization; Scholz cites potential synergy. Stay updated on the flag carrier's future.
URL: https://financedigest.com/portugal-pm-welcomes-lufthansas-interest-in-tap-scholz-sees-good-fithtml

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# Portugal PM welcomes Lufthansa’s interest in TAP, Scholz sees good fit

LISBON (Reuters) – Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa welcomed the interest expressed by Lufthansa in the upcoming privatisation of flag carrier TAP, but promised a level playing field and a transparent process for all contenders.

Speaking to reporters alongside visiting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Costa said the government will “shortly start TAP’s privatisation and several companies have expressed interest, one of them Lufthansa”.

Added Scholz: “My impression is that something does fit well together here, but let us see how it turns out.”

[Reuters reported](https://www.financedigest.com/indonesia-to-tighten-used-shoe-import-controls-after-reuters-report.html "Indonesia to tighten used shoe import controls after Reuters report") on Thursday that Lufthansa, Air France-KLM and British Airways owner IAG were laying the groundwork for potential bids for TAP, sounding out local communications agencies and legal advisers.

Lufthansa’s original interest in TAP dates back to before the [COVID-19 pandemic](https://www.financedigest.com/uk-sees-biggest-rise-in-foreign-workers-since-covid-19-pandemic.html "UK sees biggest rise in foreign workers since COVID-19 pandemic"), and Scholz said “there are reasons why Lufthansa had previously been interested.

The Portuguese state owns 100% of TAP, which is currently restructuring under a Brussels-approved 3.2 [billion euro](https://www.financedigest.com/mercedes-benz-to-buy-back-up-to-4-billion-euros-in-shares-by-2025.html "Mercedes-Benz to buy back up to 4 billion euros in shares by 2025") ($3.5 billion) rescue plan, and the government is considering an outright or partial sale of the airline.

We have to ensure a transparent process where [everyone starts from the same equal](https://www.financedigest.com/business-leaders-flexibility-for-everyone-contributes-to-gender-equality-in-the-workplace-without-affecting-your-bottom-line.html "Business leaders: flexibility for everyone contributes to gender equality in the workplace, without affecting your bottom line") position, but Lufthansa is very welcome, it is a great airline and has a complementary strategy,” Costa said.

Then the negotiation process will allow us to select who arrives first at the [finish line,”](https://www.financedigest.com/diversity-and-inclusion-doesnt-have-a-finish-line-dont-make-it-a-race-to-perfection.html "Diversity and inclusion doesn’t have a finish line: don’t make it a race to perfection") he added.

(Reporting by Sergio Goncalves, Andreas Rinke and Catarina Demony; editing by Andrei Khalip and Sandra Maler)


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