Luftscamsa - Portuguese Pilots Union Warns Against Lufthansa Bid for TAP

The Portuguese government has invited the Lufthansa Group and Air France-KLM to submit binding offers for a 44.9% stake in TAP Air Portugal, narrowing the competition to two European aviation groups. This follows the submission of non-binding offers in April 2026. Binding bids are expected by the end of July, with a final decision on the strategic investor slated for August or early September 2026. A Warning on Labor Stability In an official letter sent to the Portuguese Ministry of Infrastructure on April 29, the Union of Civil Aviation Pilots of Portugal (SPAC) warned of potential job losses and compromised labor relations should the Lufthansa Group be selected. The union argued that the government must evaluate candidates based on "labor suitability," citing what it described as a record of union repression and confrontational tactics at the German carrier. The union’s warning centers on Lufthansa’s current state of operational instability, characterized by frequent strike action and a breakdown in negotiations with its own pilots' union, Vereinigung Cockpit (VC). The SPAC specifically noted Lufthansa’s unilateral decision to terminate longstanding agreements with German pilots as a primary indicator of its approach to industrial relations. Strategic Rationalizations Lufthansa’s strategy for the acquisition, as detailed by the group's head of strategy, Mr. Tamur Goudarzi Pour, focuses on maintaining its valuation despite current energy volatility. Management has sought to address concerns regarding the Portuguese flag carrier's autonomy by emphasizing Lisbon and Porto as essential hubs for connecting Europe to South America and Africa. While Mr. Goudarzi Pour stated that the group does not intend to reduce personnel, these claims contrast with the union's perspective. The SPAC remains skeptical of these commitments, maintaining that Lufthansa’s focus on integrating Lisbon as a secondary spoke to its central network could lead to the consolidation of operations and subsequent job losses in Portugal, a concern that echoes [previous labor threats issued by other airline unions](/en/article/6xIXjCRi_management-sidesteps-pilot-union-to-lower-regional-wage-standards) during the group's past restructuring efforts.

Lufthansa’s bid for TAP faces scrutiny over labor relations and potential operational restructuring.