It is understood that Sky contracts normally prevent executives who leave the company from working for another UK broadcaster for 12 months.
Since news broke last week that Airey was in advanced talks with ITV, the company has been negotiating with Sky to resolve the issue of the clause. Sky has had a direct interest in ITV since buying 17.9% of ITV shares in November last year.
ITV's executive chairman Michael Grade recently said he viewed production for the international market as a potential growth area.
Airey left her position as Sky's managing director of channels and services in March to join Iostar, a media start-up with ambitious production, distribution and talent management plans.
However, Airey walked out of Iostar eight days after starting work in April. It soon emerged the company had failed to secure funding and it went into administration this month.
ITV refused to comment.
Another Sky executive Nick Milligan, the managing director of Sky Media, is understood to have been shortlisted to fill the role of departed ITV commercial director Ian McCulloch.
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