France-based Vinci Airports will purchase a majority share
of London Gatwick.
Current airport operator Global Infrastructure Partners will
retain 49.99% of airport shares.
Under the deal, which is expected to close in the middle of
next year, Vinci will pay 2.9 billion pounds for its Gatwick stake. There will
be no immediate changes to the running of Gatwick.
The announcement follows drone intrusions into Gatwick
airspace last week that forced airport closures and the cancellation of
approximately 1,000 flights. Nevertheless, Vinci said it would retain current
Gatwick management.
"Gatwick Airport has an impressive and highly
experienced management team who will continue to manage the business and whom
Vinci Airports is delighted to welcome to its global network," the company
said in a press release.
Gatwick is the U.K.'s second largest airport behind London
Heathrow with traffic of 45.7 million passengers in the fiscal year that ended
March 31.
Vinci manages 46 airports in 12 countries.
Global Infrastructure
Partners has operated Gatwick since 2009.