Emmanuel Macron, the Minister of Economy, presented his action plan to the local shareholders gathered around him on Tuesday at Bercy, including Christian Estrosi (Region and Metropolis), Eric Ciotti (Department), Bernard Kleynhoff (CCI), and the mayor of Cannes, David Lisnard.
The specifications will thus be finalized and published next week, with preliminary offers received starting from March 21 and firm offers by mid-June. The choice of the concessionaire will be made around July 25, for an effective takeover of the airport management at the beginning of autumn.
The local shareholders, except for the Departmental Council which retains its freedom of action and does not rule out the possibility of taking the opportunity to cash in by partnering with the State and benefiting from more favorable conditions in the sale, have already expressed their intent to maintain the ownership of the shares with the aim of keeping the blocking minority for certain strategic deliberations.
According to the agreements made with the Ministry, they should have 4 out of 10 seats on the Supervisory Board.
Additionally, it will be stipulated in the specifications that the decision-making center will be maintained in Nice, that the brand “Aéroports Nice Côte d’Azur” and the environmental commitments will be guaranteed.
A monitoring committee involving the State and local authorities will be created to ensure that these commitments made by the new acquirer are respected in the interest of the territory, which pleases Christian Estrosi who considers the airport a strategic tool for its attractiveness.
According to the Mayor of Nice and President of the PACA Region, Emmanuel Macron has pledged to advocate to the Prime Minister for the retrocession of part of the privatization proceeds to fund major investment projects in the Alpes-Maritimes territory, particularly within the framework of the renegotiation of the CPER (State-Region Plan Contract).
The economic actors (sector professionals and financial companies) will now have their say and participate in what promises to be a tight competition.
We will see if this group representing local economic interests around the UPE 06 will manifest or if it was simply a bluff or a facade.
Meanwhile, the ADPAF (Association for the Defense and Protection of French Airports) had launched the initiative for French citizens, notably those from Nice, to participate in the privatization of the Nice airport through crowdfunding. The association was considering taking 5 to 10% of the capital.
We will see if the idea will move forward or if it will remain at the stage of intentions… and dreams.
