Key facts and figures about Leeds Bradford International Airport are being unveiled to potential investors today as the airport is officially advertised for sale.

An information flyer, containing details of passenger numbers, the timetable for the sale and the economy of the region, is being distributed to interested parties.

The current shareholders, made up of the five West Yorkshire councils including Bradford, are aiming for financial closure on the deal, expected to be worth more than £100 million, in April 2007. Independent analysts expect the airport will attract interest from large private consortiums, made up of between five and ten investors.

A shortlist of bidders will be drawn up in January and a preferred bidder will be selected two months later.

Potential investors are being informed that the airport welcomed 2.6 million passengers in 2005, with that number expected to grow to 6.9 million by 2030 when the airport's masterplan is implemented.

The shareholders have now assembled a team of advisers to help with the sale, with Ernst & Young handling the financial aspect, DLA Piper UK taking care of legal matters and the Halcrow Group advising on technical issues.

All five councils voted to sell the airport earlier this year and Bradford Council is now looking forward to a windfall from the sale.

A joint statement from the leaders of the five councils, including Bradford's Councillor Kris Hopkins, said: "As our regional economy continues to prosper, we look forward to attracting a new investor to the airport who can continue the strong growth and development of this important regional asset."

Ed Anderson, managing director of Leeds Bradford Airport, said the airport was at the heart of one of the most dynamic regions in the UK.

The information flyer points out that the core catchment area for the airport, the Yorkshire and Humber region, has a GDP of £75 billion, ranking among the top third of the world's economies.

Bradford's GDP boasts £6 billion, with the city's exports worth almost £700 million.

The flyer also says the value of tourism earning for Yorkshire and the Humber is set to grow by five per cent per year to £5.9 billion by 2010.

Richard Tollis, partner at Ernst & Young, said: "We are already seeing strong interest in this transaction from the market, based on development prospects for the business, the strength of the local economy and perhaps because this may be the last opportunity to acquire a regional airport in the UK from public ownership."

Jamie Allan, of West Yorkshire stockbrokers Redmayne Bentley, said: "Most people expect it to go to a large private consortium. It's difficult to say how much it will go for because it's quite an unusual sale."

e-mail: will.kilner @bradford.newsquest.co.uk