ATHENS, Jan 15 Reuters Greece has begun preparations for the sale of 30 stake in Athens International Airport through an initial public offering IPO and separate agreements with shareholders AviaAlliance and the Copelouzos family, Athens International Airport said on Monday.

The listing on the Athens Stock Exchange is expected to take place in February, subject to regulatory approvals, the country39;s biggest airport said in a statement, confirming a Reuters report last week.

AviAlliance, which holds a 40 stake in the airport, will have the right to buy a further 10 of the lucrative asset. The Copelouzos family, which owns about 5, will be eligible for a further 1 stake, the statement said.

After conclusion of the offering, the company39;s free float is expected to be about 19, it added.

Greece is heavily reliant on tourism and Athens airport handled more than 28 million passengers last year, accounting for 35 of passenger traffic through all the nation39;s airports.

Deutsche Bank will bee a senior joint bookrunner for the offering and Morgan Stanley and BofA Securities are joint coordinators.

Reporting by Angeliki Koutantou Editing by David Goodman

Source Reuters