A major Spanish airport operator is said to be lining up a bid for London Luton Airport.

According to the Sunday Times, AENA is hoping to acquire the busy aviation facility from infrastructure group Abertis.

Luton is the home of popular budget airline easyJet and is the fifth biggest airport in the UK (based on passenger figures).

Indeed, 9.6 million people used the site in 2012, with 89 per cent of these travellers flying out on international services.

The news provider was unable to speak to representatives of either organisation, but it is thought that AENA is exercising its right to increase its ten per cent share in London Luton. The Spanish business has first refusal on the 90 per cent stake held by Abertis.

Senior figures at the latter recently hinted the firm is looking to sell its airport assets and instead focus its attention on toll roads and this has obviously triggered a response from AENA.