This week's news in brief: Gatwick bidders, a stake in Air Berlin, Travelport and Aegean, Heathrow's baggage and a warning from Aer Lingus
Three in the running for Gatwick
BAA has received three bids for Gatwick airport, a spokesperson has confirmed.
The spokesperson was unable to confirm the identity of the bidders, but said reports in the press were mainly accurate.
Manchester Airport Group, Global Infrastructure Partners and Citi Infrastructure Investors are all reported to be in the running.
BAA would not confirm reports the bids received had undervalued the London airport.
"The deadline has passed but the process will take a number of weeks, after which we'll release more details," the spokesperson said.
Last month BAA's owner Ferrovial was ordered to sell Gatwick, Stansted and either Glasgow or Edinburgh by UK anti-monopoly regulator the Competition Commission.
www.baa.com
Germany approves sale of Air Berlin stake
ESAS Holding has completed its purchase of a 15.3% stake in Air Berlin, Germany's second largest airline.
The Turkish conglomerate already operates low cost airline Pegasus Airlines.
Its chairman Ali Sabanci will represent ESAS on the board of Air Berlin.
The Federal Germany Cartel Office approved the sale on April 27.
Last month Air Berlin agreed to swap a 19.9% stake with Tui Travel plc under a cross ownership agreement.
www.airberlin.com www.flypgs.com
Travelport and Aegean ink deal
Aegean Airlines has signed a full content agreement with Travelpor GDS, a leading global distribution service provider.
The new deal will see Aegean's full range of fares available to agents using Travelport's Galileo and Worldspan GDSs.
The Athens-based airline said Travelport was the first GDS to distribute its "web only" fares.
www.travelport.com
World's largest baggage system destined for Heathrow
Work has started at London Heathrow on the world's largest baggage system, according to BAA.
A new 1.8km long tunnel costing £260m will link all five of Heathrow's terminals, part of a larger £900m "baggage improvement plan".
The tunnel will be connected to the existing baggage system due for renovation or replacement.
BAA said the system will handle 110m bags a year by 2012.
www.baa.com
Aer Lingus warns on losses
Aer Lingus warned that its losses for 2009 will be "materially below the bottom of the range of current market expectations."
The Irish national carrier said continuing cost cuts were "critical" for its viability and its the Board was "reviewing the range of options to deliver a sustained reduction in operating costs."
Aer Lingus reported a drop of 16% in revenue for the first quarter of 2009 with passenger numbers down 6.5% to just over 2m.
The airline said it had reduced capacity "substantially" in the three months, with short haul down 4.5% and long haul down 19.5%.
Short-haul average fares fell by 1.6% in the two months to end February, but by 23.6% in March with the quarter down 10.8% year on year, Aer Lingus said.
An interim management statement by the airline said: "The airline industry is facing an exceptionally tough trading environment which has progressively deteriorated this year.
"Falling consumer demand in Aer Lingus' key markets is, and will continue to contribute to sustained and significant fare pressure."
www.aerlingus.com