TAP closes maintenance in Brazil. According to a press release published by the Portuguese flag carrier in January, the company plans to close its maintenance and engineering facility in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
The closure is part of a restructuring plan approved by the EU
The closure of the Brazilian facility is part of a restructuring plan approved by the European Union in December 2021. Another article published by the Portuguese newspaper Expresso also says that TAP had considered selling the facility but they have now decided to close it. A measure that may prove costly for the airline.
The plan is to gradually close the facility and no exact date for its closure has been announced. According to the company’s press release TAP ME (TAP Manutenção e Engenharia Brasil S.A.) will conclude existing contracts for maintenance, but won’t be able to accept any new contracts. Once the existing contracts are fulfilled the facility will close down.
TAP ME currently employs 500 people and according to Expresso, the company is discussing the closing with their employees.
The Closure will not affect TAP transport operations
TAP also stresses that this measure won’t affect its current transport operations in Brazil. According to the airline, it is their main overseas market, representing between 25 and 30% of the company’s revenue. The press release also says that it is a market in expansion, currently serving 11 capital cities in the country and expecting to increase the number of weekly flights.
TAP M&E in Lisbon
TAP has a national based Maintenance and Engineering facility, the TAP M&E, which is located in the capital, Lisbon. The facility offers a wide range of maintenance and engineering services such as aircraft maintenance, engine repair and overhaul, components repair and overhaul, continuing airworthiness management, engineering, technical laboratories and training. The centre is located at Lisbon Airport and it has a total area of 71,200m2.