A SLICE of Southend Airport could be sold to raise £120million for the struggling company in charge of the runways.

Esken, known as Stobart Group until February, said that it was “in the final stages of agreeing the documentation” with US private equity firm Carlyle Group.

The deal would give Esken a loan that Carlyle could convert into a nearly 30% stake in the airport.

It would inject about £100 million into the rest of Esken, which has been struggling in recent months amid Covid-19 disruptions.

It comes shortly after Esken pulled the plug on the struggling firm because a potential buyer lost its funding to take over the business.

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Esken said that it would continue to fund the leases on eight planes through until 2023, but will try to find someone to sublease the aircraft to.

The firm added: “The continuing impact of the pandemic which has resulted in almost no flying since April 2020 and the decision taken by Aer Lingus to award preferred bidder status to another party for the franchise agreement beyond its expiry in December 2022 significantly hampered the exhaustive steps taken to secure a future for the business and its staff.”

Executive chairman David Shearer said: “It is disappointing for all stakeholders that we have been unable to conclude the sale of Stobart Air as a going concern despite the tireless efforts of my executive colleagues, the management team of the Airline and the team of advisers who have supported them.

“I am acutely aware of the impact this will have on the staff, customers and the businesses associated with the Airline but the continuing impact of the pandemic in terms of lockdown and limited travel has prevented us from achieving a better outcome.”

A spokesman for Esken continued, adding: "The group confirms that it is in the final stages of agreeing the documentation with Carlyle Global Infrastructure Opportunity Fund with regards to a long term strategic funding transaction relating to the development of LSA. 

"Under the proposed terms of the partnership, Carlyle would provide £120 million of funding net of Carlyle costs via a loan (convertible at Carlyle's option into an equity stake of 29.99 per cent in Southend Airport), which would release £100m of liquidity into the rest of the group.