Portugália - Companhia Portuguesa de Transportes Aéreos, S.A., also simply known as Portugália Airlines or PGA, is a regional airline that has been part of the TAP Group since 2007, based in Lisbon, Portugal. Founded in 1988 as an independent air transport company, it operates domestic and international flights from Lisbon and Porto under the TAP Express brand, using Embraer 190/195 aircraft.[1]
Between 2001 and 2006, PGA was recognized by Skytrax as the Best Regional Airline in Europe. In 2017, it received the Best Airline of the Year award from the European Regions Airline Association.
In 2016, following a strategy to standardize the passenger experience, the TAP Express brand was announced, replacing the PGA – Portugália Airlines brand.[2]
History
Early years
The airline was established on 25 July 1988 as a joint-stock company, but had to wait two years before it could start services, due to a delay in air transport liberalization.