David Alvarez, executive director of the Puerto Rico Public-Private Partnerships Authority, said discussions with airlines operating at San Juan Luis Munoz Marin International Airport have been promising and are about to move to final stages of an agreement.
American Airlines, the biggest carrier at the airport, and other airlines remain in "active" negotiations with Puerto Rico officials, he added.
An initial deadline of November had been set but Alverez said missing this "internal and tentative" target won’t have an adverse effect on the deal.
The Puerto Rico airport is among four airports in a pilot Federal Aviation Administration privatisation programme.
The programme requires that 65% of domestic air carriers operating at an airport sign-off on the broad plans that will be used to seek bids from interested private investors.