The Minister of Infrastructure stated that the conditions for launching the public offer for sale (OPV) of 5 percent of TAP's share capital reserved for employees could appear as early as January 2027.
The government believes it can complete the deal with TAP earlier than the planned 18-24 months, as the minister admits that the European Competition Authority is more prompt and lenient. The Minister of Infrastructure expressed hope that the process would take less time, considering an ideal period of 12 months.
In the coming months, draft contracts between Lufthansa and TAP will be worked out, including the fulfillment of preliminary conditions. According to agreements between the parties, the final contract could be signed by the end of the year, after which an additional 5 percent of the contract will be offered to employees.
Miguel Pinto Luz believes it would be 'interesting' and 'healthy' if the employees accepted this position. Regarding company management, Pinto Luz clarified that until the process is completed, Lufthansa will monitor the implementation of TAP's strategic plan through a created commission, emphasizing that the company 'is not setting foot in TAP'.
In response to the CFO of Lufthansa's statement about ongoing negotiations, Pinto Luz assured that there are no plans for Lufthansa to acquire the remaining controlling stake of 50.1%. He noted that 'the next steps are finding consensus.'
The Minister declined to disclose whether this possibility was discussed in talks with the Chega and PS parties. He stated that the idea arose during the process with a promise to consider it later, but insisted that the Portuguese must be satisfied.
Regarding Lufthansa's desire to build a new airport as soon as possible, while ANA continues to claim it is impossible before 2036, and unlike the Government's goal of having a new airport by 2034, Miguel Pinto Luz maintained this date as a target. He stated that construction machinery will begin work on the demilitarization process in January 2027, allowing construction to start in 2029.
He guaranteed that the state would do everything possible to achieve this goal so that 'ANA and Vinci have no excuses'. In this regard, he recalled that the Government is accelerating the third crossing over the Tagus, which, according to Pinto Luz, will undergo environmental impact assessment within the next two months to complete construction by 2034, in time for the new airport.
Concerning the TGV, the Minister of Infrastructure acknowledged that the possibility of splitting the Sure-Caregado section into two public-private partnerships (PPP) is being studied.