COPENHAGEN Airports A/S, a unit of Australia's Macquarie Airports, sold its entire 20 percent stake in Hainan Meilan International Airport Co for HK$544 million (US$70 million) to repay debt and fund future projects.

Oriental Patron Resources Investment Ltd bought the stake, Copenhagen Airports said in a statement on its Website yesterday. A Oriental Patron Financial Group, the buyer's Hong Kong-based parent, declined to comment on the deal.

Copenhagen Airports also plans to sell a stake in a Mexican airfield operator as it seeks funds for projects at the Danish capital's airport. The airport operator expects its passenger numbers to rise as much as six percent this year.