Bridgepoint has been announced as preferred bidder in the sale of Leeds Bradford International Airport. The airport is owned by all five West Yorkshire councils and, following a joint agreement, Barclays Private Equity with Churchill Airports was also named as the reserve bidder. A statement from the councils said: ‘This sale has proved to be a very competitive process at all stages, and with strong bids from both the preferred and reserve bidders, it is likely to remain so until the deal is completed in a few weeks time.' Leeds and Bradford city councils each own 40% of the airport, with the remainder split equally between Wakefield City Council, and Kirklees andCalderdale MBCs. The statement added: ‘Both the preferred and reserve bidder have demonstrated positive and significant investment plans, and we are confident that the chosen bidder will be in the best position to continue the airport's development as a successful international airport which will support the region's increasing economic importance nationally and internationally.' A Bridgepoint spokesman said it would only comment after the deal was completed.
