European Commission extends deadline for divestment of TAP and SATA assets

BRUSSELS – The European Commission today extended the deadlines for the airlines SATA and TAP to complete the disposal of assets, a condition for the restructuring aid granted by the Government.
According to a statement from the EU executive, the Commission accepted Portugal’s request to extend until December 31, 2026 the deadline for Sociedade Açoriana de Transportes Aéreos (SATA) to dispose of a majority stake (51%) in Azores Airlines, as well as for the spin-off (‘carve-out’) and sale of its ground handling unit (‘ground handling’).
These disposals are conditions for the approval of the restructuring aid granted by Portugal to SATA in June 2022, in the amount of 453.25 million euros.
In the case of TAP, the Commission extended the deadline for the disposal of its stakes in SPdH (ex-Groundforce) and Cateringpor until June 30, 2026.
This disposal is a condition for the approval of the restructuring aid granted by Portugal to TAP in December 2021.
To limit the negative effects of the extension of these deadlines on competition, according to the statement, Portugal proposed to correspondingly reduce the amount of aid and extend the measures intended to ensure competition until the full disposal of the assets. (01/05/26)