Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has completed the acquisition of a stake of approximately 15 percent in FGP TopCo, the holding company of Heathrow Airport Holdings Ltd, from Ferrovial SE and certain other FGP TopCo shareholders.
Concurrently, Ardian, a private investment house, acquired approximately 22.6 percent of FGP TopCo from the same shareholders through a separate vehicle.
Ferrovial, the Spanish construction giant, said it closed the sale of a 19.75 percent stake in Heathrow Airport Holdings for 2 billion euros ($2.10 billion) to French investment firm Ardian and Saudi Arabia’s PIF, according to a Reuters report.
Other shareholders of FGP TopCo sold an additional 17.87 percent stake, taking Ardian and PIF’s purchase up to 4 billion euros for 37.62 percent, the report said, citing Ferrovial.
“PIF is pleased to be investing in Heathrow Airport, a vital U.K. asset and a world-class airport,” said PIF deputy governor and head of international investments Turqi Al-Nowaiser.
Read | World’s 10 busiest airports: Dubai International leads in December
“We believe in the importance of infrastructure as a key sector in supporting the transition to net zero. Heathrow acts as a crucial gateway to the world, and we look forward to supporting Heathrow’s management in its efforts to secure the sustainable growth of the airport and to continue to maintain its position as a global aviation hub,” he added.
The investment in Heathrow Airport is in line with PIF’s strategy to support important sectors and businesses as long-term partners as part of its global portfolio of assets.
Among world’s leading airports
Heathrow Airport was ranked as the world’s second busiest international airport in December with 4.0 million seats, significantly trailing Dubai International Airport’s 5.3 million seats, according to global travel data provider OAG.
It is also the busiest airport in Europe with 4.3 million seats, and seats per day have increased by 4 percent compared to last month.
According to OAG’s Megahubs 2024 report released earlier this year, London Heathrow was ranked the most internationally connected airport in the world.
Heathrow prepares for busy Christmas
Heathrow is expecting its busiest December ever, the airport said earlier this month.
“On Christmas Day this year, the airport expects to the number of passengers to increase by 21 percent, in comparison to last year,” the airport said.
Last month, Heathrow served over 6.5 million passengers, the highest ever in November.
