Italy's infrastructure investor F2i plans to sell up to 49 % of F2i Aeroporti, a company that holds stakes in some of the country's main airports.
F2i Aeroporti holds a 36 % stake in Milan's SEA airport operator, Italy's second-largest airport operator by passenger numbers and Europe's ninth-largest.
It also owns 54 % of Turin airport operator SAGAT and 70 % of Naples airport operator GESAC, and indirectly holds minority stakes in Bergamo and Bologna airports.
According to Reuters, the deal could value company at around €1 billion.
F2i Aeroporti's president Mauro Maia added that preliminary documentation had been sent to more than 50 sovereign wealth funds (SWF), pension and infrastructure funds worldwide.
Maia said F2i was seeking a long-term equity partner to take a minority stake in the company to help F2i develop further the business.
F2i Aeroporti represents the largest airport platform in Italy, with 35 % of air passenger traffic and almost 70 % of the air cargo market.
F2i's airport investments reported combined, proforma core profit of €254 million in 2013, on proforma revenues of €1 billion. Debts stood at around €545 million.
The sale will be structured as a two-part auction. Non-binding offers are expected in July and a second round of binding bids will follow between September and October.
F2i Aeroporti has appointed banks HSBC and UniCredit for the planned sale.