Portugalia

Portugalia Airlines (ICAO: PGA), operating under the brand name TAP Express, is a Portuguese regional airline and a wholly owned subsidiary of TAP Air Portugal. It plays a crucial role in connecting regional destinations within Portugal and short-haul routes across Europe.

Portugalia Airlines was established on July 25, 1988, as an independent joint-stock company and commenced operations on July 7, 1990. Initially, it focused on domestic routes within Portugal and later expanded to include international charter flights and scheduled services to destinations in Spain, France, Italy, Germany, and Morocco. In 2006, TAP Air Portugal acquired Portugalia, integrating it into the TAP Group. In March 2016, Portugalia Airlines was rebranded as TAP Express as part of a broader restructuring effort by its parent company to harmonize the brand and modernize the fleet.

The airline's head office is located on the grounds of Lisbon Portela Airport, which serves as its primary operational base and main hub. It also maintains a secondary base at Porto Airport. As of January 2025, Portugalia Airlines operates a fleet primarily composed of 19 Embraer E-Jets, specifically 12 Embraer ERJ-190s and 7 Embraer ERJ-195s. Historically, it operated Fokker 100s, Embraer 145s, and ATR 72 aircraft before its fleet modernization under the TAP Express brand. Its route network is focused on domestic flights within Portugal and short-haul international services to Europe, operating these routes on behalf of TAP Air Portugal as TAP Express.

As a subsidiary of TAP Air Portugal, Portugalia Airlines (TAP Express) is an affiliate member of Star Alliance, which TAP Air Portugal joined in 2005. While operating as TAP Express, the airline offers regional services that align with TAP Air Portugal's product. This includes a notable "Ponte Aérea" shuttle service, providing frequent connections between Lisbon and Porto. Traveler experiences indicate a focus on economy class service with options for paid upgrades, such as seat selection or a "neighbor-free" seat, reflecting a model common among full-service carriers operating regional routes.