PARIS — The French Finance Ministry says it's sold nearly 9.5 million shares in state-controlled airport operator Aeroports de Paris in a move to raise proceeds to help boost the ailing economy.

In a statement Sunday, the ministry says it raised a total of 738 million euros ($960 million) via the sale of shares to two different investors.

French insurer Credit Agricole/Predica bought just over half of the shares, and now owns 4.81 percent of the company, which runs Paris' two main airports, Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and Orly.

French construction giant Vinci bought the remaining shares and now has a 4.69 percent stake in Aeroports de Paris. The government retains a 50.63 percent stake.