Iona Napier
A BRITISH expat based in France is leading a mystery consortium set to make a bid for Ciudad Real airport.
The Briton revealed that the group was ‘considering’ making an offer to develop a global scientific research centre.
Appealing for secrecy, he did confirm that the project would be likely to create hundreds of jobs in the area.
He also revealed that the group had first heard that the airport was up for auction, after reading about it in the Olive Press.
“We need to do a lot of research to see if the site works, but first, we need to see the terms and conditions of the bidding process,” he explained.
Ciudad Real airport was tailor-made for Spain when the economy was flying high and became a symbol of affluence.
It boasted of state-of-the-art facilities and lightening quick links to the capital.
But practically no planes ended up landing there and it has been deserted since 2012.
Now it is going under the hammer without a reserve price – but the buyer will have to shoulder several hundred million euros of debt.
So far eight public auctions have failed to attract a buyer for the 28,000m terminal built to cater for five million passengers per year.
The reserve price dwindled from a heady minimum €100 million in December 2013, down to €80 million and finally €40 million on April 23.
This time, there is no minimum asking price for the affectionately-named ‘Don Quijote’ airport.
The auction is set for June 19 at 11am in Ciudad Real court and hopes to bring an end to 600 days of liquidation and dilapidation.
Bids must be submitted in sealed envelopes.
The buyer will have to shoulder several millions of debt.
The Britain, appealing for secrecy hahahahaha. Only heard about it after it had been up for auction 8 times. He has his eye on the ball then!