Air France-KLM open to all options in privatisation of Portugal's TAP, source says

Air France-KLM wants to take part in the privatisation of Portugal's carrier TAP and is open to various options the government may offer, including purchasing a minority stake, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters. The minority government is finalising consultations with potential suitors for TAP, who also include Lufthansa and British Airways owner IAG, to hear their views before coming up with a privatisation plan. Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, who had previously insisted on a total privatisation, on Oct. 9 signalled that a partial sale was a possibility. The privatisation must be approved by parliament, where the main opposition Socialists have promised to vote against the sale of a majority stake. The source said that, "considering that several schemes are being explored for the approval of TAP privatisation in parliament at a later stage, Air France-KLM remains open to the various options and is also comfortable with a minority stake sale".<br/>