Brussels, January 5, 2026 — The European Commission has approved extensions to the deadlines for asset divestments required under restructuring aid granted by Portugal to airlines SATA and TAP, while imposing additional safeguards to limit potential harm to competition.
At Portugal’s request, the Commission agreed to extend until December 31, 2026 the deadline for SATA to divest a 51% majority stake in Azores Airlines and to carve out and sell its ground handling business unit. These divestments were conditions attached to the approval of restructuring aid granted to SATA in June 2022.
For TAP, the Commission extended the deadline until June 30, 2026 for the divestment of its shareholdings in SPdH and Cateringpor, which form part of the conditions linked to the restructuring aid approved in December 2021.
Competition Safeguards
To mitigate the potential competitive impact of the extended deadlines, Portugal committed to reducing the overall amount of State aid and prolonging competition-preserving measures until the required divestments are fully completed.
The Commission said these commitments ensure that the extensions do not undermine the objectives of the original restructuring decisions, including the restoration of long-term viability and the limitation of distortions to competition in the aviation sector.
Non-confidential versions of the decisions will be published in the Commission’s State aid register under case numbers SA.62043 (SATA) and SA.60165 (TAP), once confidentiality matters are resolved.
Source: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/mex_26_22
