BBC News
Douglas Fraser
27 June 2024
Edinburgh Airport is taking off on a new route as it comes under the control of a French company that claims to be the largest private airport operator in the world.
The new owner, Vinci, is backing an airport business that has bounced back strongly from the pandemic, expecting to hit record passenger numbers this year, and growing by another third within the next six years.
Vinci, which is based in Paris, owns 70 airports around the world, including London Gatwick and Belfast International - and it has now confirmed the transfer of a 50.1% stake in Scotland's busiest airport for £1.27bn.
That means Edinburgh Airport's value has more than tripled in the 12 years since the continuing co-owner, GIP or Global Infrastructure Partners, bought it for what seemed an eye-popping £807m.
That was the amount paid to BAA, which inherited Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen airports from its nationalised predecessor, the British Airports Authority, along with Heathrow and Gatwick in London.
These airports have since become highly valued sources of profit for huge investment funds, and compete for business where previously BAA put the brakes on competition and growth.
[Read on: Edinburgh Airport's new owner - BBC News]
