The sale of 14 airports of the Greek islands to Frankfurt airport (Fraport), beyond the undoubted political value and the signs of relaxation between Greece and Germany, says a lot about the attractiveness that the airports with the highest growth potential have in the financial markets these days. This is why Atlantia is thinking of finalizing, as it had announced, the sale of a 30% stake in the subsidiary Aeroporti di Roma (AdR) which is on the market with a strong passenger growth of 7% since the beginning of the year.
Atlantia wants to sell 30% of AdR within the year but, if possible, even sooner, with the aim of pocketing 1,4 billion euros to invest in the business. It is no coincidence that some time ago rumors circulated about the interest of the Benetton group for the Nice airport which, however, has not been followed up for now, but which should not be reclassified.
Several foreign financial operators are interested in joining AdR, which has an ambitious investment program underway aimed at strengthening and renovating the capital's main airport. The 15% AdR has essentially already been booked by the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, Adia.
For the other 15% of AdR Canadians and Chinese are running. The Canadian infrastructure fund, Borealis, which could be joined by another sovereign wealth fund, has already leaked its interest in Fiumicino but the Chinese financial group Gingko Tree are also in sight. It will be a good competition to the full advantage of the seller.
