Portugal to Cut Debt at State-Owned Azores Airlines Before Sale

Portugal plans to cut debt at state-owned Azores Airlines ahead of its latest attempt to sell the loss-making leisure carrier. The airline is part of SATA Group, which had earlier laid plans this year to sell at least a 75% stake. Azores Airlines is described as an arm of the Azores regional government, meaning public entities will remain central to any restructuring or sale process. The brief report indicates the cost-reduction steps are intended to improve the airline’s position before the transaction. Specific financial figures, the sale process timeline, and the identity of potential bidders are not included in the provided text. The move suggests the government is seeking to strengthen the carrier’s balance sheet as it approaches another privatization push, while the business continues to operate under losses.