Heathrow Airport attracts new investors

LONDON - London Heathrow Airport attracts new investors from France and Saud Arabia. French private equity manager Ardian acquires just under 23 percent of the share capital in the airport company, while the Saudi state fund is taking a 15 percent interest in the Europe's most frequented airport.

The deal is closed with a short delay, but bigger than initially annouced: Ardian is acquiring a 22.6 percent stake in the Heathrow company FGP TopCo. Besides Spanish Ferrovial Group other Heathrow shareholders are also selling stock.

Ardian had already entered into a purchase agreement with Ferrovial in November 2023 for a 15 percent stake.

Along with Ardian the Saudi public wealth fund has acquired a 15 per cent stake in Heathrow. Ferrovial is reducing its Heathrow shares to 5.25 per cent through the transaction. The total share package of nearly 38 percent is valued at 3.2 billion GBP.