TAP Portugal creates TAP Express to replace Portugalia

Following its recent change of ownership, TAP Portugal is rebranding its Portugalia regional operation as TAP Express and renewing its fleet with eight ATR 72s and nine Embraer E190s. “TAP Express is the new-branded product launched by TAP to replace PGA as of March 27, 2016. Up to July, the company will renew its entire fleet, which includes 17 aircraft and is evaluated in the amount of E400m,” TAP said, announcing the launch on Jan. 14. TAP said the fast phase-in of the new aircraft has been made possible due to “reciprocal synergies” from its new partnership with Brazilian carrier Azul Brazilian Airlines. In 2015, the Atlantic Gateway consortium, which is partly backed by JetBlue Airways and Azul founder David Neeleman, acquired a 61% stake in TAP from the Portuguese government. “As Azul is currently the airline operating the largest Embraer and ATR fleet worldwide, that has granted it a considerable negotiating strength that is now beneficial to TAP. On the other hand, the Embraer and ATR fleet operated by Azul is already maintained by TAP Maintenance & Engineering,” TAP said. PGA operates two ATR 42-600, eight ERJ-145s and six Fokker 100s. TAP said the fleet renewal will cut its regional aircraft average age from 21 to two years, delivering 40% lower fuel consumption per passenger, better reliability, reduced noise and improved comfort. TAP Express will use the aircraft to add 47% capacity, including a new hourly “Ponte Aérea” shuttle service between Porto and Lisbon.<br/>