LISBON: Chinese tourism conglomerate HNA Group – owner of Hainan Airlines – could soon offer travellers the opportunity to travel long-haul from Beijing to Portugal as it negotiates a stake in national carrier TAP Portugal, reports indicate.
According to the Global Times, HNA will purchase an initial share of Atlantic Gateway, a private consortium that owns 50% of TAP. Majority partner Humberto Pedrosa told reporters in Lisbon on Saturday that HNA Group’s direct and indirect stake in TAP’s shares could reach up to 20%, with HNA is set to receive a share of the €90 million in convertible bonds in shares issued by Azul Brazilian Airlines.
Achieving a link to the Far East “as soon as possible” – including to Beijing – has been a goal for Portugal’s minister of planning and infrastructure Pedro Marques, reports the Macau Daily Times. A spokesperson from TAP Portugal was not immediately available to confirm reports when approached by Frontier, which is seeking further clarification and comment on the issue.