Airbus is considering a spin-off for its Zephyr high-altitude surveillance and communications drone program, with the aim of launching commercial operations by the end of next year, reports the Financial Times on Monday.

The French aircraft manufacturer has asked Morgan Stanley to find external partnerships to help accelerate the commercialization of the venture, which will operate under the "Aalto" brand, according to the Financial Times.

The solar-powered Zephyr drone is designed to maintain an altitude of around 21 kilometers for months at a time for surveillance purposes or to temporarily boost communications.

Sameer Halawi, who has headed the program since last summer, told the Financial Times that the Zephyr was "in the final design stage".

"The idea of the deal is to bring like-minded partners into the equation and be able to grow this business," said Sameer Halawi, adding that Airbus does not offer telecoms services.

Airbus did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters. (Reported by Gokul Pisharody in Bangalore; French version by Jean Rosset; edited by Blandine Hénault)