“TAP is one of the great European airlines flying to Latin America. Its role in linking Europe and Africa is irreplaceable”, Paulo Portas said.


Just a few hours before the deadline for the privatisation proposals to be handed in, Portas again said how important it was that TAP was privatised.


Bidders haD until 5 this afternoon to deliver binding offers for the purchase of up to 66% of the airline group.


“It (TAP) clearly needs capital, because the state is prohibited by European rules from bailing it out and it needs to modernise its fleet”, he added.