Argentine Government Authorizes TAP Air Portugal for Indefinite Off-Line Operations
The measure, formalized through Disposition 22/2025 by the Undersecretariat of Air Transport, solidifies the Portuguese airline's commercial presence in the country.
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The Government of the Argentine Republic has formalized the authorization for the Portuguese flag carrier Transporte Aéreos Portugueses S.A. (TAP Air Portugal) to operate in the country as an Off-Line Agency. The decision was recorded in Disposition 22/2025, published in the Official Gazette on August 13, 2025.
This authorization, requested by the airline's Argentine branch, extends a permit the company has held since 2009 and periodically renewed. The main development is that, under the new regulatory framework, the authorization is granted for an indefinite period, removing the need for five-year renewals.
The measure is based on the recent Regulation for Access to Air Commercial Markets, approved by Decree 599 of July 8, 2024. This decree simplifies the procedures for obtaining air commercial authorizations, aiming to foster greater competition in the sector.
The disposition, signed by the Undersecretary of Air Transport, Hernán Adrián Gómez, states that TAP Air Portugal met all legal and administrative requirements demanded by current regulations. The official text indicates that "the proposed operation is contemplated within the currently effective regulatory framework" and that the National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC) issued a favorable opinion on the request.
What does it mean to operate as an "Off-Line Agency"?
An "off-line" authorization allows a foreign airline to maintain a commercial structure in a country without operating its own flights to or from it. This includes the ability to have offices, sell tickets for its global routes (for example, through connections with partner airlines), conduct marketing activities, and maintain legal and commercial representation in the territory. It is a preliminary and necessary step for a potential regular flight operation.
The authorization is granted under a condition of reciprocity for Argentine carriers wishing to operate in Portugal, in line with the bilateral Air Services Agreement approved by Law No. 27,723.
TAP Air Portugal operated regular flights between Lisbon (LIS) and Buenos Aires/Ezeiza (EZE) until March 2020, when the route was suspended amidst global restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the company has maintained its commercial presence in Argentina through these "off-line" authorizations, awaiting market conditions that would justify the resumption of the service.
The consolidation of its commercial status for an indefinite period could be interpreted as a sign of the airline's commitment to the Argentine market, as it awaits the right moment to relaunch its direct operations, which were once the only non-stop link between Argentina and Portugal.
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