Bids in for air traffic control plans

The proposed partial sell-off of Nats is controversial

The government has confirmed that it has received bids from the three groups invited to compete for a stake in National Air Traffic Services (Nats).

Controversy has surrounded ministers' plans for partial privatisation of the service and the proposals have come under fire from unions and backbenchers.

The shortlist includes the Airline Group, which brings together British Airways and Virgin Atlantic with six other UK airlines.

Nimbus, which has also submitted a bid, is a consortium which includes Serco, the UK facilities management group.

The final bid comes from the Lockheed Martin-backed Novares group.

Union opposition

The Institution of Professionals, Managers and Specialists, the air traffic controllers' union, has campaigned hard against the planned public-private partnership for Nats.

According to the plans, the scheme would give a 46% stake to a strategic private sector partner, with 5% allocated to Nats staff and a 49% share kept by the government.

A spokesman for the Department of the Environment Transport and the Regions confirmed the three bids had been received.

"The government will now evaluate these bids with a view to selecting a strategic partner and implementing the PPP - public-private partnership - in spring 2001."