TAP Air Portugal will function its total fleet this summer season because the nationwide service prepares to function 90% of the capability it supplied in summer season 2019.
“We’re fortunate to have one of many youngest Airbus fleets in Europe,” TAP CEO Christine Ourmières-Widener advised me. “However we’re additionally having discussions with suppliers, the chain across the fleet. We’re spending a number of time engaged on our fleet [with] our completely different companions.”
Rolls-Royce Engine Reliability on A330neo
One such accomplice is engine producer Rolls Royce. TAP is working a fleet of 19 A330neos and again in November 2018 turned the primary airline to function the A330-900 with the engine-maker’s Trent 7000.
“The A330-900 is the suitable plane, however one difficulty is the reliability of the engine. We’re battling some applications now we have to deploy on the Rolls Royce engine and that’s for me the primary concern,” Ourmières-Widener stated. The problem is limiting the supply of the A330-900.
“The A330neo with 100% availability is an efficient product. However we’re working arduous with Rolls-Royce and Airbus to enhance the supply of the plane,” she stated. “It can depend upon how we will handle this system of enchancment of those engines for this fleet. We’re discussing with Rolls-Royce what now we have to unravel.”
TAP’s A330-900s function on trunk routes from its Lisbon hub to North and South America. The sort has just lately been deployed on two new routes to Cancun in Mexico and Caracas, Venezuela.
TAP A321LR Deployment
“We’re working 96 plane [when including subsidiary TAP Express] and we’re nonetheless receiving A321LRs,” she stated. At the very least two extra A321LRs ought to be part of the TAP fleet in 2022. TAP has eight A321LRs in operation at current alongside 10 A321neo and 11 A320neo plane.
“The A321LR is an incredible plane, and we’re exploring for subsequent summer season what sort of locations it may serve,” Ourmières-Widener stated. In 2022, the airline is concentrated on rebuilding its community and the capability of the A321LR performs a key function.
“What’s wonderful for us [is, with] TAP’s geographical place so [far] west in Europe, it’s actually giving us the chance of reaching east coast locations in North and South America with the A321LR—for instance to Recife in Brazil,” she stated. The A321LR can also attain locations to the south throughout Africa.
TAP is henceforth growing its regional fleet with second-hand Embraer E190/195 E1s for Portuguese Airways, which operates underneath the TAP Categorical model. TAP Categorical additionally has eight ATR 72-600s in operation.
Ourmières-Widener stated the fleet of E-Jets will develop as a result of the dimensions of the plane is right for feeding its Lisbon hub. TAP Categorical at the moment operates 13—9 E190-E1s and 4 E195-E1s—however that complete will quickly rise to 19 plane. The extra plane will probably be second-hand E1s. “The E1 is the suitable dimension”, she stated.
TAP wants flexibility and agility to feed some routes, not all of that are sufficiently big to assist an plane the dimensions of an A320, therefore the significance of the Embraer jets.
“The one limitation now we have this 12 months is concerning the fleet. We’re flying our plane quite a bit. And we’re how you can reinforce our organizational setup to verify we’re doing the whole lot when an plane just isn’t in a position to be operational, for instance when it comes to upkeep,” Ourmières-Widener stated.
On the cargo facet, TAP has been modifying A330-200 passenger carriers into freighters. “However they’re on the bottom, as a result of we’re nonetheless ready for the EASA certification and can’t function them for now,” Ourmières-Widener stated.
Alternative in Africa
TAP Air Portugal is constant to search for new alternatives in its main long-haul markets Brazil and sub-Saharan Africa.
The airline at the moment operates to 11 locations in Brazil, certainly one of its long-standing conventional abroad markets. “TAP is basically the worldwide airline for Brazil with probably the most important supply. It’s a market that may evolve rapidly. Our companions, the 2 home airways [LCC] GOL and Azul are an actual key for us,” Ourmières-Widener stated. “Brazil is a strategic market.”
The TAP CEO is conscious of sure info that should be stored in thoughts whereas exploring new alternatives in Brazil. These embrace a deal with the political scenario in Brazil, as presidential elections are to be held by the top of 2022. TAP is trying fastidiously not solely to the income facet of its operations but in addition at potential devaluation of the Brazilian Actual, which may very well be vital. “TAP has an in depth relationship with the federal government in Brazil,” Ourmières-Widener stated. “And we’re reinforcing our crew in Brazil with a brand new common supervisor.”
Throughout the Atlantic, Star Alliance member TAP serves eight locations in eight international locations throughout sub-Saharan Africa. “Africa has been probably the most dependable market in the course of the disaster, truthfully,” Ourmières-Widener stated. However with extra airways worldwide on the lookout for new markets, different carriers are additionally aiming for a wider footprint in Africa. The TAP CEO acknowledges the rising competitors, “however I believe folks at all times underestimate what [Africa] means from an operational standpoint [for an airline] and likewise group,” she stated.
TAP is eager to broaden the African market additional. “We’re prepared, as a result of there are some routes that are profitable,” Ourmières-Widener stated. “We’re in discussions with a variety of international locations to organize for summer season 2023 with extra frequencies, new locations.”
One key vacation spot is Luanda, capital of Angola. “We’re at all times seeking to improve this route,” Ourmières-Widener stated. “However there are additionally elections in September, which we’re following.” She famous that African international locations, post-COVID-19, can have new strategic plans. “We wish to be a part of it,” she stated. And enlargement plans could show troublesome, she added, citing an absence of slot availability. Additionally, TAP’s security and safety groups are concerned within the service’s Africa operations. “If alternatives are taking place, we’ll take into account them,” the CEO stated.
Ourmières-Widener emphasizes TAP’s geographical place in far western Europe, in addition to a extra southern hub for the continent. It isn’t solely ultimate as a hub for North and South America however “Lisbon must be much more related to Africa,” she stated.