Home / Business and Economy / IAG Eyes Portuguese Airline TAP in Bidding War
IAG Eyes Portuguese Airline TAP in Bidding War
21 Nov
Summary
- IAG, parent of British Airways, expressed interest in TAP.
- Air France-KLM and Lufthansa also vying for a stake.
- IAG cited TAP's potential and hub protection alignment.

International Airlines Group (IAG), the parent company of British Airways, has formally expressed its interest in acquiring a minority stake in TAP SA. This strategic move places IAG directly into a bidding process alongside other major European carriers, including Air France-KLM and Deutsche Lufthansa AG, signaling a competitive landscape for the Portuguese airline's future.
IAG articulated its belief that TAP possesses considerable potential within its existing European airline group structure. The company highlighted that its decentralized operational model is in accord with the Portuguese government's stated objective of safeguarding TAP's critical Lisbon hub. This alignment is a key factor in IAG's interest.
While IAG has made its intentions known, the company also indicated that several outstanding issues require clarification before a definitive investment proposal can be formulated. The outcome of these discussions will be crucial in determining the future ownership and strategic direction of TAP.




