In addition to its airports, the Abertis Group also has international interests in telecommunications infrastructure and toll roads.

BBC: Belfast International Airport sale 'not ruled out'

The spokesman said Abertis has already appointed firms to help it assess the future of its airport division.

BBC: Belfast International Airport sale 'not ruled out'

The airport is owned by the Abertis Group, which is based in Barcelona.

BBC: Belfast International Airport sale 'not ruled out'

The Welsh government announced last month that it intended to buy Cardiff Airport from Abertis, its Spanish owner, in attempt to increase routes and encourage more people through its gates.

BBC: Cardiff airport

Just before Christmas, the Welsh government confirmed it wanted to buy Cardiff Airport from the Spanish-owned Abertis group after a slump in passenger numbers from a peak of two million in 2007.

BBC: Cardiff airport