Speaking following the inauguration of the National Railway Museum in Entroncamento, to the north of Lisbon, the state secretary stated that the calendar for the operation had been set out in both the decree law and the tender specifications with TAP due to produce its technical report with the state holding firm Parpública expected to meet a Friday deadline for providing its recommendations to the government over the terms of the sale.
Monteiro said that the “fragile treasury” situation of TAP, which has just been through a 10-day strike, meant it was essential to ascertain “swiftly, the immediate future” of the company in order to provide for management stability for decisions to be taken over the short and medium term even while refusing to comment on whether a decision would be forthcoming at the cabinet meeting taking place on May 28.
The State Secretary also added that the date for binding proposals for the privatisation of EMEF and CP Carga, the railway maintenance and cargo companies respectively, would be published in the near future with the deadline for submission due before the end of June.
Many national Airline carriers has gone private in Europe. To find capital on a private market is tempting, of course, especially for a recovering economy with big holes to fill when it comes to healthcare, social services and education. I believe, though, that we will see fewer routes and less dense schedules. The "Cabin Factor" will be the new parameter for deciding where to fly and when. Personel lay offs - sure! The employees of today will have to pay a great deal of the cost, as always.
By Jan Wiklund from Algarve on 19 May 2015, 08:31