Moscow-based Domodedovo international airport is not negotiating sale of a majority or minority stake in the air hub, the Domodedovo press office reported on Thursday.
“Due to a large number of inquiries from mass media organizations about the airport’s sale, the press office states Moscow-based Domodedovo airport is not currently holding any negotiations on the sale of a majority or minority stake,” the airport said in a statement.
Media reports have said Domodedovo shareholders put Domodedovo – Russia’s largest airport – on sale for $5 billion in late 2011 together with related assets. Experts polled by Prime news agency said a fair price was $3-3.5 billion.
The media named Renova Group owned by Russian tycoon Viktor Vekselberg and the BasEl holding company belonging to billionaire Oleg Deripaska as the principal bidders. Vnukovo airport co-ownerVitaly Vantsev has also announced his interest in the airport.
The main interested parties at present include A1 investment company, part of Alfa Group, in consortium with Vnesheconombank, and Summa Group in alliance with Sberbank.
Federal Anti-Monopoly Service head Igor Artemyev has said the watchdog has not received any bids for the purchase of the airport
It has been reported that Domodedovo’s owners want to sell the airport to preempt or avoid a possible nationalization, which has been discussed as part of the government’s plan to unify the three Moscow airports, Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo, in one air hub and gain control over it.