SOUTHAMPTON Airport has been put up for sale.

Owner Heathrow Airport Holdings (HAH) has put Southampton, Aberdeen and Glasgow airports on the market and is looking to conduct the sale by the end of the year.

A spokeswoman from HAH said: ''Over recent months Heathrow Airport Holdings group shareholders and management have been considering their strategic position in relation to our three airports, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton.

''As a result the group is now formally entering a sale process.

''Whilst there is currently no certainty that a sale will be concluded, the group intends to work towards completing a transaction by the end of the year.''

Spanish firm Ferrovial, which already part-owns Heathrow, was reported to have made an £800m bid for the airports in February.

Successful sales would leave HAH, which once ran seven airports, with only Heathrow in its portfolio.