New owners for Edinburgh Airport

A French firm's taking control of Edinburgh Airport in a deal worth around £1.27 billion.

Vinci is buying a 50.01% majority stake from Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) which has owned the airport since 20212.

has struck a deal to buy a majority stake in Edinburgh Airport for around £1.27 billion.

GIP - which also owns Gatwick Airport - will retain the remaining 49.99% stake and form a strategic partnership with the French company.

Management unchanged

Edinburgh Airport's chairman Sir John Elvidge and chief executive Gordon Dewar will remain in their roles following the deal.

Gordon Dewar said: "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."

Investment plans

GIP said the tie-up with Vinci would see the pair jointly invest in and develop the airport, similar to its investment partnership in Gatwick since 2019.

New York-based GIP, which was recently bought by US investment firm BlackRock, said that with Vinci, it would support management in modernising the airport, focusing on sustainability and improving passenger service.

Bayo Ogunlesi, GIP's chairman and chief executive, said: "We remain committed to providing high-quality service to passengers.

"We are very pleased Vinci shares our vision of Edinburgh Airport's future."

Vinci is one of the world's biggest private airport operators, with more than 70 airports in 13 countries.