Berliner Abendpost - Saudi wealth fund scoops up 10% of London Heathrow airport

NYSE - LSE

NGG	0.41%	82.66	$
BCE	0.05%	21.33	$
GSK	0.19%	52.57	$
BP	0.82%	38.87	$
AZN	-3.65%	172.2	$
RELX	1.29%	32.49	$
RYCEF	0%	19.25	$
RBGPF	-1.28%	67	$
BTI	-0.21%	59.91	$
CMSC	0.16%	22.055	$
RIO	1.62%	90.96	$
CMSD	-0.23%	22.258	$
VOD	11.26%	14.74	$
BCC	5.22%	76.22	$
JRI	-0.08%	13.02	$

Saudi wealth fund scoops up 10% of London Heathrow airport

ECONOMY 29.11.2023

Saudi wealth fund scoops up 10% of London Heathrow airport / Photo: Adrian DENNIS - AFP/File

Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund is to buy ten percent of London's Heathrow airport from Spanish infrastructure giant Ferrovial, whose departure from the hub after almost two decades leaves Qatar as its biggest shareholder.

Text size:

Ferrovial late Tuesday said it was offloading its 25 percent stake for nearly £2.4 billion ($3.0 billion), with the other 15 percent going to French private equity group Ardian.

Heathrow, which is one of the world's busiest airports, is owned by the consortium FGP Topco Limited, which going forward is set to be led by Qatar Investment Authority, with an existing 20-percent stake.

Ardian will be the second biggest player, while Riyahd's Public Investment Fund (PIF) will join China Investment Corporation at ten percent, around the level held by other members of the consortium.

It is yet to be seen if the UK government will intervene in the sale.

Last week, the Conservative administration headed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said it was "minded" to review the proposed sale of the Telegraph Media Group to an Abu Dhabi-backed investment fund on public interest grounds.

Announcing Ferrovial's exit, the head of its airport business, Luke Bugeja, said in a statement:

"Over the last 17 years, we have been contributing to Heathrow's transformation, together with our fellow shareholders, achieving some excellent milestones throughout our long-term role as investor.

"We are very pleased to have made Heathrow one of the world's most connected airports and the busiest airport in Europe."

The specialist in transport infrastructure management operates a vast portfolio of global assets, including airport interests in Turkey and New York. Heathrow was not seen as a core asset by Ferrovial.

It bought its stake in Heathrow in a 2006 takeover and initially held 56 percent of the hub, before gradually reducing its interest.

Heathrow recently said it recorded its highest-ever September passenger numbers of more than seven million, which also marked the first time it exceeded pre-pandemic traffic figures.

Ferrovial said it remains "fully committed to advancing its airport business", which includes a 50-percent stake in three other UK hubs -- Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton.

It owns also 60 percent of Turkey's Dalaman Airport and a 49-percent stake in the new Terminal 1 at JFK Airport in New York.

This summer, the firm angered Spain's government by relocating its headquarters to the Netherlands in a decision it said would give it access to cheaper credit and make it more attractive to investors ahead of a planned US stock listing.

J.P.Hoffmann--BlnAP

Featured

Boeing to expand 737 MAX output as aviation giant charts comeback

Boeing will mark another step in a marathon comeback Friday when it commemorates expanded production of the 737 MAX, now an aircraft in heavy demand after earlier disasters tarnished the company's reputation.

China approves fast-fashion giant Shein's Hong Kong listing bid

Fashion titan Shein has won approval from China's market watchdog for its initial public offering application in Hong Kong, the China Securities Regulatory Commission said in a statement on Friday.

MEXC Launches VVIP Futures Loss Coverage Program 2.0 with 1,000,000 USDT Prize Pool

MEXC, a pioneer in 0-fee digital asset trading, announced the launch of its VVIP Futures Loss Coverage Program 2.0 from July 10 to July 30, 2026 (UTC), an upgraded initiative offering enhanced trading protection and a 1,000,000 USDT prize pool for futures users to share.

Volkswagen sales slide further as carmaker weighs mass job cuts

Volkswagen on Friday said that a slide in sales accelerated in the second quarter, as the crisis-hit German auto group reportedly considers cutting up to 100,000 jobs worldwide.