Group 1 - The Portuguese government plans to initiate the privatization process of the national airline TAP SA in the coming weeks, aiming to sell less than 50% of its shares [2] - Major European full-service airlines, including Air France-KLM, Lufthansa Group, and International Airlines Group (IAG), have expressed interest in acquiring TAP SA, which is the leading airline providing services from Europe to Brazil [2] - TAP SA also has a strong presence in Africa and operates multiple flights to North America, highlighting its strategic importance in international aviation [2] Group 2 - The privatization plan for TAP SA was previously delayed due to a parliamentary vote in March that overthrew the center-right minority government [2] - Following early elections in May, the ruling coalition gained more seats in parliament but still did not achieve an absolute majority [2]

Core Viewpoint - The recent crash of Air India flight AI171 on June 12, 2025, is the most severe aviation disaster in nearly a decade, raising concerns about the safety of the airline and the broader Indian aviation industry [1][3]. Group 1: Incident Overview - Air India has a long history and a good safety record, with no fatal accidents in the past 40 years prior to this incident [1][3]. - The crash occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport in Gujarat, the birthplace of Prime Minister Modi, who expressed deep sorrow over the event [1][3]. - The only survivor of the crash, Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, managed to escape the aircraft, highlighting the tragic loss of life among the other passengers [7]. Group 2: Historical Context - Air India was founded in 1932 and was nationalized in 1953, primarily operating international routes [4]. - The airline has faced financial difficulties since 2007, leading to a decision by the Indian government in 2018 to privatize the airline due to its massive debts [5]. - Tata Sons acquired Air India in October 2021 for ₹180 billion (approximately 15.01 billion RMB), marking its return to the Tata Group after over 70 years [5]. Group 3: Market Position - India is now the third-largest aviation market in the world, following the US and China, with a rapidly growing domestic market dominated by two major airlines: Indigo and Air India [4]. - The crash may impact Air India's ongoing efforts to modernize its fleet and improve service quality under Tata Group's ownership [5]. Group 4: Investigation and Response - The Indian government has initiated a formal investigation into the crash, with assistance from the US and UK, and is forming a high-level committee of experts to conduct a thorough review [8].