RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Skift — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 1 sources
Lisbon has made clear that price alone won't decide TAP's future. One bidder arrived in Portugal with a spade; the other enlisted Delta's Ed Bastian.
LinkedIn X Facebook Email Gift What regulatory hurdles could either group face given their pending ITA Airways and SAS deals? How will retaining a 50.1% state stake affect the winning bidder's ability to integrate TAP? How might rising fuel costs shape AF-KLM's or Lufthansa's willingness to raise their offers? Select a question above or ask something else
Lufthansa Group's CEO posed for photos with Portugal's prime minister near Porto. Air France-KLM shared a LinkedIn graphic decorated with Portuguese azulejo tiles. Both groups pledged skilled jobs and maintenance investment across the country, and Delta's CEO lent his name to one side of the contest. It has been a fascinating few weeks of soft diplomacy in the race for TAP Air Portugal.
Air France-KLM (AF-KLM) and Lufthansa Group filed binding offers for the Portuguese national carrier on Wednesday. But ahead of this, both groups set in motion a series of seemingly subtle moves. These matter because Lisbon made clear that numbers alone won't decide the deal.
The Air France-KLM offer spans passenger operations, cargo, loyalty, and maintenance, while committing to preserve TAP's brand, management, headquarters, and Lisbon hub. It also leans into history, noting that Air France and KLM have served the country since 1940 and
Tags: air france-klm , airlines , iag , jet stream , Lufthansa Group , mergers and acquisitions , tap air portugal
LinkedIn X Facebook Email Gift Get unlimited access with Skift Pro. Subscribe now for complete access to Skift.com's trusted coverage of the travel industry.
Enter your email for a complimentary article + exclusive offers.
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.