Bristol Live readers are not surprised that Bristol Airport is reportedly on the market, as its Canadian pension fund owner looks to sell. The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan is said to be considering a £10bn mega deal to offload five airports, including Bristol, according to the Sunday Times.
Other airports in the portfolio include Birmingham, London City, Copenhagen and Brussels. OTPP’s stakes in these sites range from 25 to 70 per cent.
Under a sale deal, the minority shareholders have the right of first refusal for 30 days, but the smaller stakeholders could choose to sell up. It is understood outside bidders have also been approached, with reports in the Sunday Times that Australia-based investor Macquarie is in the mix.
The news has sparked a flurry of comments from our readers. Western Lord said: “I reckon the pension fund realises that sooner or later flying will have to be curbed.”
Spanishgas commented: “Now worth £1.5 billion, what did BCC get when they sold their share?”
Ezergood said: “Car parking charges will rise thereafter.”
Spankthemonkey agreed and asked: “Does this mean it will be going up from £20 per minute to park?”
Fuocoardente wrote: “I can imagine that this proposed change of ownership will confuse and upset those who work at the airport.”
BMushroom added: “This will be embraced by the users on here who endlessly criticise the current owners.”
Magnus1975 thought: “Absolutely crazy – we keep getting told that we need to reduce emissions to stop climate change, but airports think it’s okay just to keep expanding and expanding. I’ll be amazed if whoever owns the airport would pay for the train link as they’re only interested in making more money.”
Moneymaid added: “Who knew? Businesses want to make profits. If only Debenhams or Homebase to name a couple had that idea. Bring it on as North Somerset needs more jobs.”
Jubblyone4 said: “Stop listening to those who are telling you to reduce emissions – they are still flying around in their private jets.”
While over on our Facebook page – Thom Thomas commented: “There really needs to be a motorway and rail link direct to the airport. It has the absolute worst infrastructure connectivity, and to hire a car on-site costs an absolute fortune. Exeter, Birmingham, Manchester and London are all better served.”
Tom Williams said: “It’s still only got single carrigeway roads connecting it to the M5 and M4, they are pretty poor quality as well….the ring road needs to be expanded round the south side of the city to connect the M5 and M4, a dual carrigeway spur to the airport….a new junction for the ring road on the M4 so it doesn’t share a jct with the M32 and a rail link!!”
Ian Wiltshire wrote: “That’s just great, expand it, cram as much in as possible, make it the worst airport ever and then try and sell it. I really hope it backfires on the owners.”
David Wainwright believed: “Used to be a very good airport, prior to the current reconstruction and expansion nightmare, I no longer use Bristol Airport, too stressful.”
So what do you think about the sale of Bristol Airport? Let us know in the comments below or HERE.