The future ownership of Stansted Airport could be revealed within days.
The second round of bidding ended yesterday, with three names in the frame, according to industry commentators.
Manchester Airports Group, which also controls Bournemouth and East Midlands airports, is said to be the front runner in the £1bn-plus battle to buy the Uttlesford hub, with competition reported from Australian investment giant Macquarie and late interest expressed
by Malaysia Airports Holdings in partnership with YTL Corp, which owns utilities firm Wessex Water.
After a drawn-out court wrangle, the former BAA finally agreed last August to sell Stansted, three years after the Competition Commission told it to sell its Essex business as well as Gatwick and one of its Scottish airports. It still operates Heathrow.
The bidders are said to expect a decision on their offers within days, although Stansted’s parent company, Spanish infrastructure giant Ferrovial, could decide on a further round of bids.
Copyright 2013 Iliffe News and Media LtdAll Rights Reserved
