Stagecoach founder Sir Brian Souter is being linked with a possible bid for Edinburgh airport as part of a consortium of Scottish investors.
The Scottish millionaire is reported to be drawing up plans through his Souter Investments business after owner BAA appointed investment banks Citigroup and BNP Paribas to help sell the airport.
Souter Investments, which does not include his stake in Stagecoach, has a portfolio of 120 investments worth more than £400 million.
Other interested parties in Edinburgh airport are thought to include private equity firm, 3i; Aeroports de Paris, which owns Charles de Gaulle airport; and the Global Infrastructure Partners, owner of Gatwick and London City airport.
BAA is being forced to sell Edinburgh by the Competition Commission which in 2009 ruled that it was running a virtual monopoly of British airports.
A spokesman for Sir Brian told the Daily Telegraph that the entrepreneur will not make any formal decisions until the sales document is sent out in January.