Bristol, Birmingham and London City Airport are reportedly being put up for sale by their Canadian pension fund owner. The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) is looking to ditch its stake in the transport hubs, alongside Copenhagen and Brussels airports, according to the Sunday Times.
It is understood the OTPP is in talks over the portfolio, which is estimated to be worth in the region of £10bn, with minority shareholders who have a 30-day first refusal option.
The OTTP’s share in each of the five airports ranges from 25% to 70%. Business Live understands the fund is also exploring other options such as outside buyers including Australian investor Macquarie.
The reports come amid a resurgence in air travel across Europe following the pandemic and as a number of airports set out expansion plans for growth.
Earlier on Monday, Bristol Airport announced a two-month consultation on its long-term expansion plans including a bigger terminal and an extended runway that would enable more flights. The transport hub said its masterplan to 2040 would meet the “strong and growing” demand for its services in the region.
Under the proposals, the airport expects to grow beyond the current allowance of 12 million passengers a year to 15 million by around 2036.
Meanwhile City Airport was given the green light by the government for an expansion that would see capacity increase from 6.5m to 9m passengers per year.
The news comes off the back of a string of airport deals this year.
In June, Spanish firm Ferrovial offloaded its 25% stake in Heathrow to a Saudi-French consortium for £3.3bn, while in April, Global Infrastructure Partners sold its majority stake in Edinburgh Airport to Paris-based Vinci for £1.3bn.
This month AGS airports, which runs Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton, was sold to German-headquartered airport management company AviAlliance.
OTTP, London City Airport, Birmingham Airport and Bristol Airport declined to comment.