Spain’s Ferrovial, the biggest investor in Heathrow, has expressed an interest in buying the airport’s three regional businesses.
The company, which owns 25% of Heathrow Airport Holdings, has sounded out the company’s board about buying Aberdeen (pictured), Glasgow and Southampton airports, according to Sky News.
Speculation has been mounting about a potential sale of the three regional airports with Gatwick owner Global Infrastructure Partners having been linked to a potential purchase of Aberdeen airport.
Both Heathrow and Ferrovial declined to comment but Colin Matthews, chief executive of Heathrow Airport Holdings, has made no secret of the fact that the West London hub is his main focus, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Heathrow last year changed its name from BAA and said its regional airports would operate under their own separate brands.
Interest in the regional airports comes ahead of next Tuesday’s Airports Commission report, which will shortlist potential options on where to build new runway capacity in the southeast of England.
At least one option for expansion at Heathrow is expected to appear on the shortlist to be published.
Gatwick is also confident its proposals for a second runway will be taken forward for further investigation before the commission reports its final recommendations after the General Election in 2015.