German chancellor Friedrich Merz says he sees "significant opportunities" for Lufthansa Group and TAP Air Portugal (TP, Lisbon) if the Lufthansa parent were to be chosen as the new investor in the Portuguese carrier. Speaking during a visit to Lisbon, Merz praised the growing aviation industry in the country. The German holding, which already owns Austrian Airlines, Swiss, Brussels Airlines, Air Dolomiti, and a minority stake in ITA Airways outside its home country, is one of two pre-selected bidders for a minority stake in TAP, alongside Air France-KLM.