AENA buys into Leeds Bradford and Newcastle Airports in £270m UK expansion deal
Spanish airport operator Aena has strengthened its footprint in the UK after agreeing to buy major stakes in Leeds Bradford Airport and Newcastle Airport.
Under the deal, Aena will acquire 51% of a new holding company that owns and manages 100% of Leeds Bradford Airport and 49% of Newcastle Airport. The transaction is valued at £270 million, equivalent to around €309 million.
Growing UK presence
The move significantly expands Aena’s operations in the UK, where it already holds a 51% stake in London Luton Airport.
Last year, Leeds Bradford and Newcastle airports handled a combined 9.5 million passengers. When added to Luton's annual traffic of around 17 million passengers, Aena now has exposure to UK airports serving a total of 26.5 million passengers a year.
The remaining 49% of the new holding company will stay with InfraBridge, which also owns the other 49% of London Luton Airport.
Strategic investment
Commenting on the deal, Maurici Lucena, Chairman and CEO of Aena, said the acquisition marks an important milestone for the company in a key international market.
“This is an important step for Aena in countries with great potential such as the United Kingdom, where we already have extensive experience,” he said.
Aena’s global network
Aena is one of the world’s largest airport operators. Its global portfolio includes 46 airports and two heliports in Spain, as well as 17 airports in Brazil, 12 in Mexico, and two in Jamaica, alongside its growing presence in the UK.
The latest investment underlines the company’s strategy of expanding in mature, high-demand aviation markets while strengthening long-term international revenues.
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