The TAP-Portugália deal, announced in December, revives commercial relations which had been broken off by Portuguese flag carrier TAP 12 months previously. During the summer, with both carriers' finances in tatters, Portugália president Joïo Ribeiro da Fonseca denounced TAP for what he regarded as its "scorched earth" policy towards his company.
However, with a new management team headed by Norberto Pilar, TAP is keen to re-establish the previous commercial agreement, which it regards as a vital step in the financial recovery of both carriers.
Portugália's marketing director Francisco Bordalo says he is looking to establish a much closer and wider ranging working relationship than that which existed in 1995-8. Portugália has also argued that in such a small market as Portugal national airline companies have to co-operate.
In Spain, meanwhile, the seemingly moribund Air Europa has relaunched itself with a new image. Managing director Juan Saéz has also announced an agreement with the Alitalia/KLM/ Northwest "Wings" alliance.
From an airline that had formerly wet-leased one-third of its fleet to Iberia because it made better commercial sense to do so, the new Air Europa has positioned itself to be able to compete with rival airlines Spanair and Iberia, respectively part of the Star and oneworld alliances.
Attempts by Air Europa to boost its presence on the international market began in the autumn, when it signed a codeshare agreement with TAP on routes linking Madrid with Lisbon and Oporto.
For TAP, co-operation with Air Europa allows it to concentrate its medium-haul fleet on major destinations, such as Paris, London and Madrid. The Spanish carrier gains access to new markets, such as Brazil, via TAP's Lisbon hub.
Source: Airline Business
