The airport operator will work with infrastructure firm Infrabridge at the two airports
Significant stakes in two of the North’s main airports have been sold to one of the world’s largest airport operators in a multimillion-pound deal.
InfraBridge, which owns Leeds Bradford Airport and a 49% stake in Newcastle Airport, has sold 51% of its holdings to Aena, the operator of most airports in Spain. Aena – which is 51% owned by the Spanish government – also operates Luton Airport, near London, and airports in Mexico, Brazil and Jamaica.
Despite the £270m deal including two Northern airports, Newcastle and Leeds Bradford will continue to operate separately, not least because Newcastle is 51% owned by the LA7 group of councils in Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and County Durham.
Maurici Lucena, chairman and CEO of Aena, said: “This is a significant step for Aena in countries with enormous potential such as the UK, where we already have a great deal of experience. Aena is looking to selectively grow in the areas where we are already present, so as to create value for public and private shareholders.”
The deal will be subject to regulatory approvals but those were not judged to be a problem when Infrabridge, then known as AMP Capital, bought Leeds Bradford in 2017.
Nick Jones, chief executive officer of Newcastle Airport said: “This agreement is significant news for the Airport’s future ambitions recently outlined in our Masterplan 2040, and we are delighted that our performance, potential and ambitious growth plans, have been recognised by Aena.
“The Airport provides essential connectivity, £1bn GVA and 3,500 direct jobs to the North East economy and our team consistently delivers award-winning levels of customer service to our passengers and airlines. We look forward to working closely with Aena Internacional, Infrabridge and our local authority partners as we continue to drive forward ambitious plans for the North East region.”
Vincent Hodder, chief executive at Leeds Bradford Airport, said: “This agreement is a positive development for Leeds Bradford Airport, for our employees and customers and for Yorkshire. We are excited about the future as we welcome Aena as our new majority shareholder. Aena is the world’s largest airport operator by passenger numbers and brings deep operational expertise, and a strong track record of investing in and developing high quality airport infrastructure around the world.”
Separately, Newcastle Airport has announced a £364m refinancing deal that aims to support its plans for major growth, as well as measures to improve its environmental credentials. The five-year financing facility will allow it to invest in customer facilities, such as the current extension being built to its departures lounge and security facilities.
Barclays, Lloyds, Santander and AIB have joined the airport’s banking group, alongside existing lenders NatWest, HSBC and the Development Bank of Japan. As part of the agreement, the airport has made a commitment to sustainability targets, including reducing emissions, improving recycling rates and maintaining Airport Carbon Accreditation. The package also includes a £20m Green Loan dedicated to projects that aims to help the airport achieve Net Zero Carbon status by 2035.
Mark Hunt, the airport’s chief financial officer at Newcastle Airport, said: “We are pleased to have completed the refinancing process. The process attracted very strong interest from lenders, demonstrating the market’s confidence in the Airport and our long-term strategy.
“The agreement not only delivers more favourable interest rates but will enable us to continue to deliver our investment plans, enhance the customer experience, attract new airlines and routes and achieve our sustainability goals.”
2025 has been a significant year for the airport, which launched a masterplan for the next 15 years that aims to almost double passenger numbers, create hundreds of new jobs and increase its contribution to the North East economy. It also announced increased operations from budget airlines easyJet and Ryanair and say it will welcome a record six million passengers in 2026.
