UPDATE 1 — Portugal could pick winner of TAP privatisation as soon as Wednesday

Portugal to pick winning bidder 'very soon', minister says Air France-KLM, Lufthansa submitted final bids in September TAP has landing slots connecting Lisbon with Brazil, Africa, US (Adds timing from sources in paragraph 2; Lufthansa executive's quotes, airport context in paragraphs 8-10) LISBON, Oct 13 (Reuters) — Portugal will pick "very soon" the winning bidder for a 44.9% stake in flag carrier TAP from rivals Air France-KLM and Lufthansa, Secretary of State for Infrastructure Hugo Espirito Santo said on Tuesday. Two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters the government will take the decision on Wednesday. "We are very, very fast approaching the conclusion of that process," Santo told delegates at the World Aviation Festival in Lisbon. "Very soon we will be announcing our decision, a key pillar for the future of aviation in the country." He described the ideal buyer as a partner with the scale, investment capacity and international reach to strengthen the airline's competitiveness. He would not say when the decision would be announced. Portugal's cabinet usually holds its weekly meetings on Thursdays, but could convene and take a decision at any time. Air France-KLM