The owner of Kuala Lumpur International Airport aims to join the auction for Stansted despite missing the first round of bids to buy London’s budget airport.
Malaysia Airports Holdings has approached Stansted owner Heathrow (formerly BAA), according to a report in the Sunday Telegraph.
Four groups entered bids for Stansted in the first round: Manchester Airport Group, which is backed by Australian investors, and financial funds TPG, Macquarie and HRL Morrison. Manchester Airport Group remains the favourite.
BAA put Stansted up for sale after conceding defeat in its battle to retain the airport. It was ordered to sell by the Competition Commission.
Heathrow hopes to raise £1 billion from Stansted.
Ryanair, the biggest operator at Stansted, had been expected to form part of the winning bid but pulled out of the process.
Malaysia Airports has stakes in international airports in Istanbul and New Delhi as well as in Malaysia, where it is 40% owned by the government.