Southend Airport sale claims quashed
26.08.08
Australian infrastructure investment company Macquarie Airports (MAp) has moved to quash rumours it has bought Southend Airport, the Echo reports. Reports on regional television news suggested the company, which owns Bristol Airport and recently sold a stake in Birmingham Airport, had bought the hub, but a spokesman for MAp moved to deny this.
Southend Airport was put up for sale earlier this year by owner, Regional Airports, with interested companies invited to submit sealed bids. An announcement on a new owner is expected any day. However, MAp spokesman Karen Smith said: ‘I can state definitely we have not bought Southend Airport – or if we have, then nobody has told me. I think on an issue such as this, I would have been told.’
Alastair Welch, the airport’s managing director, said a decision would be announced when all the details had been agreed. He told the newspaper: ‘I have said throughout this process I will not comment on rumours. We will make a statement as soon as a decision has been reached.'
‘However, I must admit when I heard this story, I was as surprised as anyone. I understand Macquarie does not want to make any further airport investment at the moment [MAp reported disappointing financial results last week and said that it would dispose of a number of small airport stakes].’
London City Airport’s owner has always been tipped as a front-runner in the bidding battle, which was originally due to have been settled by the end of June. Rumours recently have suggested the East London concern was out of the running. However, London City spokesman Rupa Haria told the Echo: ‘I can state London City is still keen on purchasing Southend Airport. We would still hope to do so.’
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