German airline giant Lufthansa has formally expressed interest in acquiring Portugal’s flag carrier TAP, signaling its latest move in a broader strategy to consolidate European aviation.
Lufthansa submitted its expression of interest to Parpública, the Portuguese state holding company managing the sale process. This positions the German group as the second major contender, following Air France-KLM.
Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr confirmed the submission on Thursday, officially entering the company into the bidding.
The airline has maintained a “strong and lasting interest” in TAP since the privatization process was first planned in 2024. Despite what Spohr described in July as “advances and retreats,” Lufthansa’s interest remained firm.
An estimated 300 million euros ($320 million) in potential compensation to TAP crew members also did not deter the German group from its pursuit.
Lufthansa views itself as “the best partner for TAP,” citing their shared membership in the Star Alliance. The group states it carefully analyzed the government’s specifications, guiding its evaluation by a “strategic interest” in TAP and a desire to acquire one of the last standalone airlines.
The move comes as Lufthansa continues an aggressive expansion drive across Southern Europe. In January 2025, the company acquired a 41% stake in Italy’s ITA Airways for 325 million euros ($347 million), becoming a minority partner to the Italian government, which retained 59%.
Earlier this year, Lufthansa attempted to purchase a 25% minority stake in Spain’s Air Europa for 240 million euros ($256 million). However, it withdrew from that deal to focus on the TAP process, with Turkish Airlines subsequently moving forward to acquire Air Europa.
Lufthansa also has a separate, significant investment in Portugal. It is establishing a Lufthansa Technik aircraft parts repair factory in Santa Maria da Feira, near Porto. However, former Economy Minister Pedro Reis previously indicated this investment would not directly benefit the group’s bid for TAP.