Finance
Aena to buy majority stake in UK airports holding for $360 million
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on December 18, 2025
1 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
Quick Summary
Aena is buying a 51% stake in a UK airport holding company for $360 million, aiming for 15% EBITDA from international operations by 2026.
Aena Acquires Majority Stake in UK Airports for $360M
MADRID, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Spain's airport operator Aena 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)
Key Takeaways
- •Aena to acquire 51% stake in UK airport holding company.
- •Deal includes Leeds Bradford and part of Newcastle Airport.
- •Aena aims for 15% EBITDA from international operations by 2026.
- •Transaction expected to close in Q2 2026.
- •Aena shares up 0.5%, gaining nearly 20% this year.
Frequently Asked Questions about Aena to buy majority stake in UK airports holding for $360 million
1What is a majority stake?
A majority stake refers to owning more than 50% of a company's shares, giving the owner significant control over its operations and decisions.
2What is EBITDA?
EBITDA stands for Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization. It is a measure used to evaluate a company's operating performance.
3What is a holding company?
A holding company is a parent corporation that owns enough voting stock in another company to control its policies and oversee its management.
4What is an asset purchase?
An asset purchase involves acquiring specific assets of a company, rather than its stock or ownership. This can include equipment, property, and intellectual property.
5What is a corporate acquisition?
A corporate acquisition occurs when one company purchases most or all of another company's shares to gain control of that company.
