Thomas Cook and Monarch are looking to sell a minority stake in air traffic control system, NATS.
The Airline Group – a consortium of seven carrriers including Thomas Cook, Monarch, easyJet, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic – bought into the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) when it was privatised in 2001.
The Airline Group owns 42%, airport operator BAA holds a 4% stake, 5% is owned by staff and the remainder belongs to the Government.
It is believed Thomas Cook and Monarch want to push ahead with the sale while easyJet, BA and Virgin are keen to keep their shares.
Investment bank Rothschild will look into potential buyers with DFS, the German air traffic control provider believed to be interested, reports the Sunday Times.
By Diane Evans
