THE shortlist of fleet management companies still in the running to purchase British Airways Ground Fleet Services is down to just two. It is understood that rental company Ryder and a collaborative venture involving GE Capital and Servisair are the only remaining companies left in the frame.

The successful bidder is likely to be announced early in the new year following a lengthy tender process involving up to a dozen fleet management companies. The division operates more than 7,000 ground support vehicles, ranging from tractor units and mobile aircraft steps to crewbuses and around 1,000 management cars.

The proposed sale of GFS is part of BA's Business Efficiency Programme, which is designed to cut costs and focus resources on core activities. The company said it was faced with the choice of investing heavily, downsizing the operation or selling it if it was to survive in the future. A BA spokesman said a decision on the future of GFS was expected in the new year.