TAP Air Portugal announces expansion of intercontinental operations and construction of maintenance hub that will create around 200 highly qualified jobs.
TAP Air Portugal reaffirms its commitment to the north of Portugal, announcing a set of strategic measures that strengthen operations from Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport and consolidate the Airline’s position in the region.
This winter, TAP is offering 135 direct flights per week from Porto to destinations around the world, including 13 weekly flights to four intercontinental destinations: Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, New York and Luanda. From 1 July, new routes to Terceira and Praia (Cape Verde) will come into operation, with three weekly flights, and next winter the Porto–Boston connection will no longer be seasonal but will operate all year round. In addition, Porto will have direct flights to Tel Aviv, with four weekly frequencies.
This will give a much greater choice for UK passengers especially those interested in a stopover in Porto en route or on the way back from these long haul routes.
In its strategic plan for the next three years, TAP also plans to launch other new intercontinental routes, which will be announced in due course, and to increase frequencies on several existing routes.
At the same time, the Airline will invest in the construction of a new Maintenance and Engineering Hub at Porto Airport, with capacity for two A321 aircraft or similar. This project, scheduled for completion in 2028, represents a decisive step in TAP’s growth strategy in the region, allowing it to internalise major fleet inspections, reduce operating costs and create around 200 highly specialised jobs.
Luís Rodrigues, CEO of TAP Air Portugal, stated at the presentation of TAP’s new routes and investment in Porto, held at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, that “this is a new moment for TAP and for Northern Portugal. We are strengthening our intercontinental operations and investing in critical infrastructure, ensuring more options for our customers and more opportunities for the regional economy. TAP is committed to the North like never before.”
Thierry Ligonnière, CEO of ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal, stated that “the signing of this memorandum with TAP Air Portugal expresses our joint commitment to the North and to the future of Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, strengthening Porto’s connection to the world and investing in the country’s aeronautical maintenance. ANA|VINCI Airports will remain committed to the quality of service that has distinguished the airport and to structural investments, such as the refurbishment of the runway, worth over €50 million, which prepare the airport and our customers for a future of greater connectivity and growth.”