Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras (AD, São Paulo Viracopos) has rejected claims in the international media that it is interested in the privatization of TAP Portugal (Lisbon). Last week, Portuguese Minister of the Economy, António Pires de Lima, disclosed that several parties had submitted Expressions of Interest to Lisbon for a 49% stake in the airline.

Last year, CEO David Neeleman was reported to be in talks with Brazil's national development bank, BNDES, to arrange financing to acquire a stake in the Portuguese national carrier, a claim Neeleman later denied.

Alongside a non-binding proposal submitted by local tycoon, Miguel Pais do Amaral, in partnership with US airline magnate, Frank Lorenzo, it has since emerged that Air Europa (UX, Palma de Mallorca) and Avianca (Bogotá) are also among the contenders.

Uncorroborated local reports also claim Delta Air Lines (DL, Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson), Virgin Atlantic (VS, London Heathrow), Lufthansa (LH, Frankfurt International) and British Airways-parent, the International Airlines Group (IAG), had all expressed an interest but did not submit any bids.

TAP's privatization was mandated as part of the terms of a 2011 EUR78billion (USD101billion) bailout package Portugal signed with the European Commission, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank.