Global Infrastructure Partners and Lockheed Martin are potential buyers of the British government’s stake in National Air Traffic Services (NATS), the Times said on Monday.
An official decision is expected within three months, the newspaper said in an unsourced report.
Britain’s Conservative-led coalition said in June it would look at how to dispose of its 49 percent shareholding in the air traffic control body as part of asset sales to help reduce a record budget deficit.
The remaining shares in NATS are held by a consortium of British Airways and other UK airlines, with 4 percent held by airports operator BAA, part of Spain’s Ferrovial, and 5 percent by NATS staff.
The Times said Merrill Lynch, which is advising the government, and UBS, which is advising NATS, are considering either an initial public offering or a trade sale.
"Our possible interest would be in providing operational services if there is an opportunity, rather than acquiring an equity stake," the newspaper quoted Serco as saying.
