French construction group — Vinci — is buying a 50.01-per cent stake in London’s Gatwick airport
for about 2.9 billion pounds ($3.67 billion), it said on Thursday.

The deal would make Gatwick the single largest in Vinci’s airport network, which would grow to 46 airports spanning 12 countries, the company added.

It noted that “the transaction represents a rare opportunity to acquire an airport of such size and quality.”

The deal followed Vinci’s acquisition earlier this year of the airports management portfolio of Airports Worldwide, which allowed it to enter the
U.S. and expand in Europe.

The other 49.99 per cent of London Gatwick will be managed by Global Infrastructure Partners, Vinci said.

Gatwick made headlines last week after three days of drone sightings caused chaos at Britain’s second busiest airport and forced it to
close its runway, in what is thought to be the most disruptive incident of its kind. (Reuters/NAN)