The Spanish government has asked the Royal Bank of Scotland PLC (RBS) to provide assistance in the privatization of the airports. The government has planned to privatize 49% of the Aena Aeropuertos and has asked the bank to help in arranging bids for the contract.

Last year, Socialist Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero had announced to privatize the Madrid's Barajas and Barcelona's El Prat airports, to overcome the financial deficits by 6% in 2011 and by 4.4% in 2012.

AENA has 47 airports under it and it was difficult for RBS to win the counseling position as it had eight competitors seeking the same position. The government will be handing over the licenses of the two airports by this December.

Many operators are willing to take part in the privatization process of Madrid and Barcelona airports, such as Ferrovial SA, the Heathrow and other British airports owner. Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas, a construction company is also in the race. The other most important owner is Abertis Infraestructuras SA, which is an owner of London's Luton airport and a co- partner of AENA in providing services to some of the Latin America airports.

AENA's President, Juan Ignacio Lema said, that Barcelona and Madrid airport do not require huge investment for next 15 years.