Spanish airport operator Aena has acquired a majority stake in Leeds Bradford Airport in a deal worth £270million.
InfraBridge, the owner of Leeds Bradford Airport today announced that it has entered into a binding agreement to sell a 51% shareholding in a newly formed holding company owning 100% of Leeds Bradford Airport (“LBA”) and 49% of Newcastle International Airport (“NIAL”) to Aena S.M.E., S.A. (“Aena”).
InfraBridge will continue to manage a 49% shareholding in the holding company following completion.
LBA and NIAL are “freehold” airports and will continue to be operated and managed independently of each other.
The transaction is subject to customary conditions to closing, including regulatory approvals, and completion will take place once all such conditions have been satisfied.
The addition of Aena as the new majority owner and the continuation of InfraBridge as a key shareholder reflects the strong performance and long-term strategic potential of Leeds Bradford Airport and the critical role it plays in supporting regional connectivity, economic activity and long-term development across Yorkshire.
Vincent Hodder, Chief Executive at Leeds Bradford Airport, said:
“This agreement is a positive development for Leeds Bradford Airport, for our employees and customers and for Yorkshire.
“We are excited about the future as we welcome Aena as our new majority shareholder.
“Aena is the world’s largest airport operator by passenger numbers and brings deep operational expertise, and a strong track record of investing in and developing high quality airport infrastructure around the world.”
Justin Symonds, Managing Director and Head of Airports at InfraBridge said:
“This agreement reflects the strong performance and long-term potential of Leeds Bradford Airport as a critical gateway for the communities it serves, and we are excited about its future growth prospects.
“Aena is a trusted partner with deep operational expertise, and we are very pleased to be strengthening our relationship as the airport transitions into its next chapter.
“We look forward to collaborating on the continued development of Leeds Bradford Airport for the benefit of passengers, airlines and the wider region.”
The transaction builds on the longstanding partnership between InfraBridge and Aena, established through their successful joint ownership of London Luton Airport and extends Aena’s investment in UK airport infrastructure with the addition of the stakes in Leeds Bradford Airport and Newcastle International Airport.
The Chairman and CEO of Aena, Maurici Lucena, describes this international operation as "an important step in Aena's commitment to markets with great potential such as the United Kingdom, where we already have a long experience with 51% of Luton airport, in London.
In addition, with this operation, we strengthen the alliance with InfraBridge as a long-term strategic partner in the United Kingdom and put at the service of the territory served by Leeds Bradford Airport our experience in airport management of all categories”.
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