VINCI Airports will buy 50.01 per cent of Edinburgh Airport in a new partnership which will retain the existing management in place.
Current owners Global Infrastructure Partners will keep a reduced share in the deal, reported to be worth £1.27 billion, which will be complete by summer this year. Since 2018 VINCI Airports have bought into London Gatwick and Belfast International. The French company also operates the road network in France and has acquired a stake in Budapest Airport.
Sir John Elvidge, chairman of Edinburgh Airport, said: “We are pleased to welcome VINCI Airports to Scotland and recognise that this is a significant vote of confidence in Scotland, and the future of its capital city airport.”
Nicolas Notebaert, Chief Executive Officer of VINCI Concessions and President of VINCI Airports, said: “We are delighted to announce the expansion of our successful and strategic partnership with GIP to include Edinburgh Airport.
“Together with GIP, VINCI Airports will continue the strategy of growing connectivity and developing commercial activities, whilst also leveraging VINCI Airport’s international expertise to accelerate decarbonization and continually improving customer experience.
“This acquisition of a third freehold airport in the UK, in addition to London Gatwick and Belfast International, demonstrates VINCI Airports’ long term strategic ambition and continued commitment to the country.”
Gordon Dewar, chief executive officer of Edinburgh Airport, said: “We welcome and look forward to working with VINCI Airports and Global Infrastructure Partners, two of the world’s most respected airport investors and operators.
“The leadership team – which remains in place – is wholly committed to working with our investors to improve customer service, accelerate our decarbonisation plans and strengthen Scotland’s connectivity with the world, which ultimately drives the country’s international competitiveness and prosperity.
“I should thank the whole team at Edinburgh Airport for the contribution they have made to our success over the last 12 years since GIP acquired the airport and look forward to working with them to write a new, exciting chapter in the airport’s story.”
Bayo Ogunlesi, Global Infrastructure Partners’ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are excited to partner with VINCI, with whom we have a strong and productive strategic relationship, to continue to support Edinburgh Airport’s future growth.
“We remain committed to providing high-quality service to passengers. We are very pleased VINCI shares our vision of Edinburgh Airport’s future.”
Michael McGhee, Global Infrastructure Partners’ Deputy Chairman and Founding Partner, said: “This partnership underlines our commitment to Scotland and its capital city airport. We are excited to extend our partnership with VINCI to deliver on our shared aspirations for the future of Edinburgh Airport, including our promise to support the airport’s 2030 sustainability commitments.
“We are pleased the senior leadership team will remain in place under the chairmanship of Sir John Elvidge. Their focus remains on the long-term growth, modernisation and sustainability of the airport and on continuing to improve passenger service.”
Edinburgh Airport supports 28,000 jobs in Scotland and contributes £1.4 billion a year to the Scottish economy. Working with 35 airlines, the airport connects Scotland to 155 destinations in the UK and around the world.
Clsiming to be the world’s leading private airport operator, VINCI Airports operates more than 70 airports in 13 countries. VINCI Airports develops, finances, builds and manages airports by providing its investment capacity and its know-how in optimising operational performance, modernising infrastructure and managing their operations and environmental transition. VINCI Airports is the first airport operator to have committed to an international environmental strategy in 2016, to achieve the goal of net zero emissions across its entire network by 2050.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
