Aena to buy majority stake in UK airports holding for $360 million (updated)

Digitalbridge

18/12/2025 12:09

Clarifies ownership structure in paragraph 3, adds share price in paragraph 6

MADRID, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Spain's airport operator Aena AENA.MC said on Thursday it agreed to buy a 51% stake in a new holding company that owns Leeds Bradford Airport and part of Newcastle Airport in the UK for 270 million pounds ($360.88 million).

The deal aligns with Aena's push to expand internationally, as the group targets having overseas operations account for 15% of EBITDA in 2026 after its chief executive said the company plans to grow through asset purchases.

The deal sees Aena acquire a majority stake in the newly formed holding company that owns Leeds Bradford Airport and a 49% stake in Newcastle Airport, with InfraBridge retaining the remaining 49% in the holding.

"This is an important step for Aena in countries with strong potential such as the UK, where we already have long-standing experience," Chief Executive Maurici Lucena said in a statement.

The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026.

Shares in Aena were up 0.5% on Thursday, accumulating gains of nearly 20% so far this year.

($1 = 0.7482 pounds)

 (Reporting by Jesus Calero, Editing by Louise Heavens, Andrei Khalip)

 ((jesus.calero@thomsonreuters.com))