VINCI Airports buying major stake in Edinburgh Airport for £1.27 billion......

Global Infrastructure Partners confirmed this week that it was selling just over half of Edinburgh Airport to VINCI Airports for  £1.27 billion.

As part of the agreement, GIP and VINCI will jointly lead investment in, and development of, Edinburgh Airport and establish a long-term strategic partnership for the airport's future development, similar to the successful partnership established in 2019 at Gatwick Airport.

Edinburgh Airport's Chairman Sir John Elvidge and Chief Executive Officer Gordon Dewar will, along with other key leaders, remain in their roles. "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," said Bayo Ogunlesi, Global Infrastructure Partners' Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We remain committed to providing high-quality service to passengers. We are very pleased VINCI shares our vision of Edinburgh Airport's future."

"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," said Michael McGhee, Global Infrastructure Partners' Deputy Chairman and Founding Partner. "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."

"We are delighted to announce the expansion of our successful and strategic partnership with GIP to include Edinburgh Airport," said Nicolas Notebaert, Chief Executive Officer of VINCI Concessions and President of VINCI Airports. "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."

Passenger numbers rise at Vinci Airports.

The airport operating arm of the Vinci group has released the latest figures from February 2024 which show passenger numbers are on the rise. Globally, the number of passengers in February 2024 exceeds its pre-pandemic level by more than 3%

Change in VINCI Airports commercial movements (ATM)

VINCI Airports finalises closing for Cabo Verde airport concession

Financing arrangements completed for a concession covering seven airports in the archipelago

40 years concession in a country with a growing tourism sector

VINCI Airports solidifies its international network, which now spans 72 airports in 13 countries

 

 

As the conditions precedent in the concession agreement signed in July 2022 with the government of Cabo Verde had been met, VINCI Airports finalised the financial arrangements for the acquisition of seven airports in the country. VINCI Airports secured €60 million in financing, maturing over 20 years, from three development banks: World Bank-IFC, Proparco (France) and DEG (Germany). This financing is certified under the Sustainability-Linked Financing (SLF) Framework.

To secure certification, it set two sustainability targets: one involving a progressive reduction in CO2 emissions, the other involving the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. This is one of VINCI Airports' very first financing arrangements of this kind, and the first time IFC, Proparco and DEG have financed airports through a SLF.

Securing the financing was a major milestone for the airports in Cabo Verde, and VINCI Airports is taking over their operation today. It will fund, operate, maintain, extend and modernise these airports over the next 40 years, alongside its Portuguese subsidiary (ANA-Aeroportos de Portugal), which will hold 30% of the concession company.