AGS Airports, which runs three major UK airports—Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Southampton—has been sold to AviAlliance, a German infrastructure firm. The deal, which includes £900 million for the acquisition and £653 million in debt liabilities, is set to conclude in the first quarter of 2025. AviAlliance, owned by the Canadian Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments), already has a portfolio of airports, including those in Athens, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, and San Juan.
This move marks a significant shift in the ownership of the UK’s transport infrastructure. Gerhard Schroeder, managing director of AviAlliance, expressed the company’s commitment to improving the airports’ passenger experience and supporting their sustainability strategies, which align with broader goals to expand route networks and enhance services.
Previous Ownership and Investment
The airports were previously owned by a joint venture between Spanish construction giant Ferrovial and Australian finance company Macquarie, who had purchased them in 2014 for £1.05 billion. Since then, the duo invested over £250 million across the three airports, with notable projects such as a 50% terminal expansion at Aberdeen Airport and a £17 million runway extension at Southampton Airport.
Macquarie’s Martin Bradley emphasized the successful decade-long investment strategy and expressed confidence in AviAlliance to take the airports into the next phase of growth.
Impact on UK Infrastructure
This deal also highlights the continued foreign interest in UK infrastructure. PSP Investments, already a key player in UK projects such as Forth Ports and Angel Trains, will now expand its presence in the UK transport sector with AGS Airports. The sale reflects ongoing trends of international investments in the UK’s critical infrastructure assets.
The deal’s completion will be a significant moment for the future of Scotland’s major airports, with AviAlliance’s plans to develop their networks and services promising to reshape the travel experience for millions of passengers annually
