TAP Portugal comments on financing for A350 fleet

TAP Portugal finance director Teresa Lopes, speaking at the CAPA - Airline Fleet & Finance Summit 2014, and commenting on financing for the carrier's A350 fleet, stated (25-Mar-2014) it is hoping to have access to some cash through its privatisation if it occurs. Ms Lopes also said if its privatisation does not happen then the carrier will consider tapping the market to see what is available by 2017, when the aircraft are scheduled for delivery. She added the carrier have always been able to finance its aircraft successfully. In response to if the carrier prefers to privatise through an IPO or introduction of strategic investors, Ms Lopes said "strategic partners might be very interesting if there was a good complementary." Ms Lopes also said that access to cash is important to the carrier as it would allow the carrier to grow and become more balanced in terms of its capital structure. She added that strategic investor or IPO does not matter so long as it makes sense from TAP's business standpoint.