Branson eyes London Gatwick airport

LONDON (Reuters) - Richard Branson, the billionaire owner of airline Virgin Atlantic, would be interested in bidding for London's Gatwick airport if it were put up for sale, but only if other partners could be brought in.

"We would be interested in possibly buying Gatwick, but only as part of a consortium," Paul Charles, communications director for Virgin Atlantic, told Reuters by telephone.

"We would not do it alone," Charles said, adding that it was still early days and the UK Competition Commission still had to release its final report on Britain's airports industry.

Charles added that Virgin Atlantic would bring its strong customer service record to any consortium interested in buying Gatwick, Britain's second-biggest airport.

The Virgin Atlantic director was responding to a report in the Daily Telegraph newspaper that said Branson was planning to bid for Gatwick with an offer that could cost more than 2 billion pounds.

"We are open to being courted by anyone who is interested in bidding," the newspaper quoted Branson, president of No. 2 long-haul airline, as saying.

Branson has already held talks with potential bidders, he said, thought to include funds backed by the Dubai royal family, the Telegraph said.

Gatwick is owned by Spain's Ferrovial airport unit BAA.

The UK Competition Commission ruled earlier this month that Ferrovial must sell three of seven British airports, including two of three London airports -- Gatwick, Heathrow and Stansted.

The plan by Branson, which adds his name to a string of prospective buyers, is at an early stage as Gatwick is not yet formally up for sale, and a final report from the Competition Commission is not expected until next year.