The owners of TAP today said the Government recognises that they are doing "a good job" in managing and reorganising the former State owned company.
As for the government taking back majority control of TAP, as stated in the Socialist Party’s pre-election manifesto, Humberto Pedrosa of Gateway say that he is confident that all parties can reach a good agreement and wants to settle out of court.
On Wednesday, David Neeleman and Humberto Pedrosa, whose Gateway company owns 61% of TAP, had a third meeting with Minister Pedro Marques, to discuss scenarios for the future of the company.
Pedrosa said that "everything is on the table. Maybe there has to be a compromise both sides," and that he does not want to lose control of the company, adding that Gateway and the government share the same concern, "the future of TAP."
The government is intent on relieving Gateway of its controlling share of TAP but Neeleman (pictured) and Pedrosa want to determine the company's future, "We do not want to sell anything, we came to stay, we're already here," said Pedrosa.
Negotiations with the Government "do not change anything in the day-to-day business," said David Neeleman, in Lisbon to sign the contract for 17 new TAP aircraft for €400 million.
Neeleman, who has dual nationality in the US and Brazil, said, "we are negotiating, but what is important is that the government told us that it likes a lot of the new TAP strategy and its management. If it like everything we're doing, then our day-to-day operations will not change," said the businessman.
Not wanting to confirm whether or not Gateway will be happy running the airline without a majority stake, Neeleman said that the key is to be running the company, "the management is the most important thing. If you can make decisions and strengthen the company, this is the most important thing."
One thing is certain, when the government buys back a controllling interest in TAP, as detailed in its manifesto, it will cost a lot more than the paltry €10 million that Gateway handed the Treasury when buying 61% of the airline on the cheap.
