Destination Lisbon (& III): behind the scenes at TAP

In the two previous posts of this series we have looked at TAP's past (as represented by the retirement of its last Fokker 100 aircraft) and its future (the ambitious strategic plans of the airline's new investors).

But one aspect of TAP's present that is little known to many, and that I had the chance to see for myself during this trip, is the airline's large MRO operation in Lisbon.

In this, mostly visual, post I have compiled a photo gallery that shows this rarely seen aspect of TAP and how it gets its aircraft ready (and those of other operators too, since many other airlines send their aircraft to Lisbon to be serviced).

This is one of the largest hangars in Europe 

The cargo hold

Here one of TAP's remaining A340s, to be replaced soon by A330neos

An A330 cockpit

A330 business class cabin