GROUPE ADP TO ACQUIRE 49% STAKE IN GMR AIRPORTS LIMITED

GAL operates Hyderabad–Rajiv Gandhi and Delhi-Indira Gandhi airports in India courtesy of 63% and 64% shareholdings respectively in operators GMR Hyderabad International Airport (GHIAL) and Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL).

And in partnership with local company Megawide Construction Corporation, has a 25-year operating concession for Mactan-Cebu International Airport in The Philippines.

Groupe ADP is one of the world’s biggest airport operators managing a portfolio of 24 airports across the globe, including Paris CDG in France, Queen Alia in Jordan, and Santiago’s Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport in Chile.

GAL states that the deal will “combine unmatched strengths in airport development and operations, offering the highest levels of passenger experience”.

It adds that it will also open up new opportunities for route development, enhanced expertise in operations, retail, IT, innovation, engineering and other areas.

Between them, GAL and Groupe ADP’s airports handled 336.5 million passengers in 2019.

GMR Group chairman, GM Rao, noted: “The partnership with Groupe ADP is in line with GMR’s business direction to become a global airport developer and operator.

“We have been on a journey of defining airports of the future with a key focus on the passenger experience by leveraging enhanced technology and offering superior amenities. With Groupe ADP, GMR will have smoother access to global markets, opening up newer avenues of business growth.”

While Group ADP’s chairman and CEO, Augustin de Romanet Chairman, said: “The acquisition of a 49% stake in GMR Airports fits within Groupe ADP’s strategy.

“It sets a robust industrial partnership and enables Groupe ADP to build, only two years after taking control of TAV Airports, a unique worldwide network of airports with a solid industrial expertise and strong development capacities.

“This acquisition will constitute a growth driver in the medium term, and also a transforming position for the group in one of Asia’s and the world’s most dynamic and promising countries.”

The partnership between GMR and Groupe ADP is being structured as a strong strategic partnership to be built on two-way exchange of expertise, personnel, knowledge and market access.

GAL notes that “passengers and other stakeholders will also benefit immensely” from the deal, believing that it will set new “industry-defining benchmarks”.