Offers have been submitted to acquire 60% of the capital, shares held by the state. A buyout that could bring in nearly 1 billion euros. The buyer is expected to be chosen this summer.
Candidates interested in acquiring the state’s shares in Nice Airport had until noon on Monday to submit their firm offers.
Several consortiums are reportedly in the running, according to sources close to the matter.
These include the airport operator Vinci Airports, associated with the Caisse des Dépôts and the insurer Predica (Crédit Agricole); the French investment group Meridiam with the Spanish construction and services group Ferrovial; the investment fund Ardian partnered with various financial partners; the Italian group Atlantia (Benetton); the Turkish group Limak and the Australian Macquarie allied with FPP (Peugeot family holding); and the German insurer Allianz, which has teamed up with the American fund GIP.
The latter might have the favor of local authorities due to its proximity to the region. Its French CEO, Jacques Richier, originally from the Nice area, willingly flaunts his friendly relationship with the president of the Metropolis, Christian Estrosi.
Moreover, the Monegasque state indicated that it is considering acquiring a stake in Nice Airport, with an equity interest ranging from 5% to 9% depending on the valuation, by partnering with one of the competing groups.
