LONDON – According to data from RadarBox.com, TAP Air Portugal’s flight movement statistics have increased by over 20% compared to the same period last year.
As the carrier enters Winter 2022/23, numbers continue to creep up close to pre-pandemic levels, signifying that recovery is very close for the airline.
Without further ado, let’s get into the numbers…
The Numbers…
For last week, October 29-November 5, the carrier achieved 298 movements based on a seven-day rolling average, which is 22.63% better than the same period last year.
The airline is around 50 extra flights away from reaching pre-pandemic levels, which could easily be achieved as we approach busy periods in the Winter season.
Below is the last four weeks’ worth of data:
| Date | 2021 Numbers | 2022 Numbers | Percentage Difference (2022 vs. 2021) |
| October 1-8 | 219 movements | 343 movements | +56.62% |
| October 8-15 | 218 movements | 339 movements | +55.50% |
| October 15-22 | 221 movements | 315 movements | +42.53% |
| October 21-29 | 220 movements | 324 movements | +47.27% |
What we can see from that data is a strong and consistent level of over 300 flights per week based on that rolling average, which is a strong sign from the carrier.
However, the figures for 2022 are dipping, which is expected during the Winter season as there is less of a need for leisure travel.
Statistics for this week will see TAP operate 304 flights based on that average, which is an increase of 18.75% compared to the same period last year.
TAP To Be Sold…
On September 12, it was announced that the Portuguese Government intends to sell the country’s flag carrier airline, TAP Air Portugal, for a second time.
Since the Brazilian-American businessman David Neeleman’s departure from TAP Air Portugal in June 2020 after selling his 45% ownership of the carrier back to the Portuguese Government and in less than a year since the carrier restructuring aid, the government is now intending to resell the airline for a second time back to private hands.
This also comes in just nine months after the Portuguese investor, Humberto Pedrosa, had left the carrier following his small stake being diluted.
In the wake of the Covid pandemic, it is evident that the Portuguese Government is looking to reap more capital in order to keep the country’s economy flowing along smoothly.
Not only this, but the Portuguese Government has also outlined that they will accelerate the sale of the carrier so that the process can be completed during the first half (H1) of 2023.
Whoever the airline gets sold to, this could encourage plans of further growth going into the future, which would, in turn, increase the seven-day rolling averages of the carrier.
But for now, all eyes will be on the carrier to see what sort of numbers they can produce over the Winter 2022/23 season and whether it can contribute to strong financials, which would make the carrier more attractive in the sale process.
