(March 30): Portugal is confident Europe’s three biggest airline groups will bid for a stake in TAP SA ahead of a deadline this week, brushing aside concerns that the Iran war is fuelling oil volatility and uncertainty across the aviation sector. “I think those three groups continue to look at TAP from a medium- to long-term perspective of growth,” Miranda Sarmento said. The war in Iran, along with support measures for families and businesses, is also expected to weigh on growth. While it has yet to formally revise its projections, the Bank of Portugal last week cut its 2026 growth forecast to 1.8%. “We are committed to maintaining fiscal balance even if we post a small deficit this year,” Miranda Sarmento said during Monday’s interview.

Source: The Edge Markets March 30, 2026 11:22 UTC