The Spanish owner of Luton airport has revived plans for a €7 billion stock market float, which could see it go public within weeks.
Aena Aeropuertos, the Spanish state-backed airports operator, is to approach potential investors with plans to start trading by the second week of February in what will be Europe’s biggest flotation since Royal Mail, the Telegraph reported.
The Spanish state, which owns the company outright, is planning to offload 49% of its holding.
The shares are expected to be priced between €41 and €53 each, valuing the business between €6.2 billion and €8 billion, lower than originally expected.
Aena recently reported improved third quarter results, boosted by a growth in passenger numbers including a record 10.5 million at Luton in 2014.
The Spanish government postponed plans to list the airport operator in October when doubts about the strength of Europe’s economic recovery caused a string of floats to be pulled.