Belgium's regional Wallonian government is expected to reach a decision next week on whether to award the management contract of Brussels Charleroi to Italian airport operator SAVE.
SAVE runs Venice and Treviso airports in northeast Italy and says it has secured exclusive talks with the government to acquire a 27.7% stake in Charleroi operator BSCA. SAVE adds it will also negotiate for a management tender of the site.
An offer for Charleroi was presented on 8 December by SAVE in conjunction with Belgian company Holding Communal. SAVE pronounced itself "particularly pleased with the outcome of the race" announced by Wallonian minister responsible for airports Andre Antoine.
"SAVE is convinced our project will bring benefits to all stakeholders [and] that the next stage of exclusive negotiations can be completed with success," says SAVE president Enrico Marchi.
A spokeswoman for SAVE says a final decision by the Wallonian government is expected next week.
Charleroi, situated around 45km (28mi) to the south of Brussels, is the Belgian capital's second airport after the main hub at Zaventem.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
