Buyers are reportedly being sought for Newcastle airport as the local authorities that control it look to reduce mounting debts.
The seven local councils, which own a 51% stake in the airport, have appointed KPMG to advise them before debt repayments are due, according to the Sunday Times.
The authorities are Durham County Council, Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council, City of Newcastle, North Tyneside MBC, Northumberland County Council, South Tyneside MBC and City of Sunderland.
A £320 million repayment is due in December 2013 on a loan the airport took on in 2006.
Copenhagen Airports International, which owns the remaining 49%, is also keen to sell, although chief executive Rasmus Christiansen was quoted as saying: “We don’t comment on market speculation.
“We are often approached by airport investors but we are not in a formal process to sell Newcastle.”