3 November 2010
BAA Ltd owner Ferrovial has agreed to sell airport ground services business, Swissport International, to PAI Partners Holdings of France for £565 million ($909 million) as it divests assets to reduce debt and pay for other projects.
Ferrovial bought Swissport, which operates in 38 countries including in the UK, for £291 million ($469 million) in 2005. It expects the transaction with Paris-based buyout firm PAI Partners to close in December 2010 or January 2011. The deal is subject to approval from competition authorities, and PAI Partners must secure financing.
Ferrovial Chief Executive Officer, Inigo Meiras, said that the proceeds from the Swissport sale will be invested in new infrastructure and services projects that we consider to have high potential of value creation. Ferrovial announced plans to sell 10% of BAA Ltd., the owner of Heathrow, late last month.