New TAP Air Portugal chief takes control as EU looks at latest state aid proposal

New TAP Air Portugal CE Christine Ourmieres-Widener has been in “listening mode” during her first few days in charge of the European operator, as uncertainty surrounds the business’s second tranche of state aid. “We are still waiting for the EU approval of our restructuring plan, so it’s early days,” she said 22 July. On 16 July, the EC re-approved E1.2b in state aid to TAP – delivered in the form of a rescue loan – but concurrently announced that it was investigating whether a proposed further E3.2b in restructuring aid was in line with EU rules. That followed Portugal formally notifying the Commission on 10 June 2021 that it intended to provide E3.2b in restructuring aid to TAP through the airline’s parent company, TAP SGPS. Amid that uncertainty, Ourmieres-Widener’s task at the Star Alliance carrier is “making sure the organisation has a future… to grow again and to welcome more passengers on board, safely”, she states, adding: “We have an indication of where we need to be in four or five years’ time: being a sustainable organisation, profitable… being the pride of the country.”<br/>