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Heathrow Airport Holdings Acquisition & Valuation
Heathrow Airport Holdings was acquired by Ferrovial, Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec and GIC for $30B in June 2006.
Heathrow Airport Holdings acquisition price
$30B
Acquired by Ferrovial, Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec +1 · Jun 2006
Heathrow Airport Holdings revenue
$4.5B
Secondary · Feb 2025
Key investors in Heathrow Airport Holdings
Ardian
Qatar Investment Authority
China Investment Corporation
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund
Universities Superannuation Scheme
Alinda Capital Partners
Qsuper
About Heathrow Airport Holdings
Heathrow Airport Holdings is the holding company of the group that owns and operates London Heathrow Airport, the largest airport in the United Kingdom and one of the busiest international hubs in the world. The company was formed by the privatisation of the British Airports Authority as BAA plc and operated as a listed company until it was taken private in a consortium takeover. It was named BAA until it was renamed to reflect that Heathrow became its principal remaining airport after regulators forced the sale of Gatwick, Stansted and Edinburgh. The group earns revenue from airport charges paid by airlines, retail and car parking concessions, property rental and the Heathrow Express rail service. It serves airlines, passengers and government bodies, and is regulated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. Its immediate owner is FGP Topco, which is held by a group of infrastructure and sovereign investors.
Founded
1985
HQ
Website
Status
Acquired
Customer focus
B2B & B2C
Revenue model
Usage-based
Revenue
$4.5B (Feb 2025)
Valuation
$11B (Feb 2025)
Sectors
Heathrow Airport Holdings Acquisition
Heathrow Airport Holdings was acquired by Ferrovial, Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec and GIC for $30B on 6 June 2006.
BAA plc, the owner of Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and other airports, accepted a recommended cash takeover from a consortium led by the Spanish group Ferrovial on 6 June 2006. The consortium comprised Ferrovial Infraestructuras, the Canadian pension investor Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec and an investment company directed by Singapore's GIC Special Investments, and it had first approached BAA in March 2006 with an offer of 810 pence a share that BAA rejected. The revised terms valued BAA at 950.25 pence per share, including a dividend, and the bid was reported as valuing the company at about GBP 10.1 billion. BAA's board rejected a higher offer from a rival group led by Goldman Sachs, and Ferrovial confirmed that it had bought 13.9 percent of BAA's shares on the day of acceptance. BAA was delisted from the London Stock Exchange in August 2006. The company, now Heathrow Airport Holdings, owns and operates Heathrow Airport; after regulatory orders it sold Gatwick, Stansted and Edinburgh and later renamed itself in 2012 to reflect its single remaining major airport.
| Acquirer | Date | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Jun 2006 | Strategic M&A | $30B |
Sources: nbcnews.com, en.wikipedia.org, newsroom.ferrovial.com, ferrovial.com
Heathrow Airport Holdings Valuation
Heathrow Airport Holdings is currently valued at $11B, based on its secondary sale in February 2025. Read the announcement ↗
The round included Ardian.
Heathrow Airport Holdings' valuation has grown 1.5x from $7.4B at its secondary sale in October 2011 to $11B in February 2025, across 6 priced rounds.
Heathrow Airport Holdings valuation by funding round
Revenue multiple| Date | Stage | Valuation | Revenue Multiple |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2025 | Secondary | $11B | 2.4x |
| Jun 2024 | Secondary | $11B | 2.3x |
| Oct 2013 | Secondary | $7.3B | 1.7x |
| Nov 2012 | Secondary | $7.3B | 1.8x |
| Aug 2012 | Secondary | $751M | 0.2x |
| Oct 2011 | Secondary | $7.4B | 2.1x |
Heathrow Airport Holdings Revenue
Heathrow Airport Holdings' latest recorded revenue is $4.5B, as of its secondary sale in February 2025. At a $11B valuation, that implies a 2.4x revenue multiple.
Revenue grew from $3.6B in October 2011 to $4.5B in February 2025, while the revenue multiple moved from 2.1x to 2.4x.
Heathrow Airport Holdings revenue by funding round
| Date | Revenue * | Valuation | Revenue Multiple | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2025 | $4.5B | $11B | 2.4x | Secondary |
| Jun 2024 | $4.7B | $11B | 2.3x | Secondary |
| Jun 2017 | $3.7B | - | - | Secondary |
| Oct 2013 | $4.3B | $7.3B | 1.7x | Secondary |
| Nov 2012 | $4B | $7.3B | 1.8x | Secondary |
| Aug 2012 | $3.9B | $751M | 0.2x | Secondary |
| Oct 2011 | $3.6B | $7.4B | 2.1x | Secondary |
* Revenue (or ARR) figures are the values recorded alongside each funding round. Typically run-rate revenue at the time of the deal, or a reported LTM (last 12 months) revenue.
Heathrow Airport Holdings Funding History
Heathrow Airport Holdings has 7 recorded secondary share sales and no primary funding rounds.
Heathrow Airport Holdings funding rounds
| Date | Stage | Investors | Raised | Valuation | Deal Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2025 | Secondary | Ardian | - | $11B | Ardian signed a binding agreement in February 2025 to acquire an additional 10% stake in FGP Topco, the holding company of Heathrow Airport, from Ferrovial and other shareholders including CDPQ. The purchase followed Ardian's acquisition of a 22.6% stake completed in December 2024 and lifted its holding to 32.6%, making it the largest shareholder in the airport. Completion was subject to regulatory conditions and the right of first offer held by TopCo shareholders. It closed in mid-2025 and allowed Ferrovial, La Caisse and USS to exit their final minority stakes. Reported coverage put the transaction at about GBP 870 million, funded entirely through equity by Ardian and its co-investors. Heathrow is the largest airport in the United Kingdom and a major international hub. |
| Jun 2024 | Secondary | Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (lead); Ardian | $4.1B | $11B | Heathrow Airport Holdings operates Heathrow Airport, the UK's largest airport and a key international gateway handling significant passenger traffic, cargo valued at £215 billion annually, and supporting economic connectivity. FGP TopCo Ltd serves as the parent company owning Heathrow Airport Holdings Ltd. In 2024, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) acquired a 15% stake in FGP TopCo from Ferrovial SE and other shareholders, while Ardian acquired a 22.6% stake, becoming the largest shareholder, in a combined transaction valued at approximately 4 billion euros. Ferrovial's stake reduced to 5.25% post-transaction. Heathrow (SP), the indirect subsidiary operating the airport, reported actual 2023 revenue of £3,687 million and forecasted 2024 revenue of £3,517 million, with aeronautical revenue at £2,232 million and non-aeronautical at £1,285 million. Adjusted EBITDA for 2024 is forecasted at £1,942 million. The Regulatory Asset Base (RAB) is estimated at £20,222 million by end-2024, reflecting ongoing investments including a £4.3 billion H7 programme with £936 million capital expenditure in 2024. Passenger traffic is forecasted at 82.8 million for 2024, up from 79.2 million in 2023. The transaction aligns with Heathrow's strategy for sustainable growth amid rising aviation demand, supported by a board of infrastructure investors. Ardian later increased its stake to 32.6% in a separate £866 million deal. |
| Jun 2017 | Secondary | Qsuper | - | - | QSuper acquired an additional equity interest in Heathrow Airport Holdings from incumbent shareholders in the airport's holding structure, lifting its ownership to approximately 11 per cent and making Heathrow the largest single infrastructure investment in the Queensland fund's portfolio. The fund said the vendor agreed to negotiate exclusively with it, avoiding a competitive auction, and that a four-person in-house team completed what was the biggest transaction QSuper had ever negotiated in a matter of months. QSuper had first gained exposure to Heathrow in 2011 through an infrastructure vehicle managed by Alinda Capital Partners; the Companies House register for FGP Topco Limited, Heathrow's parent, shows the two Alinda partnerships consolidated into a single 11.18 per cent block on 20 June 2017, and that block was transferred into QS Airports UK, LP in late November 2018. The stake now sits with successor fund Australian Retirement Trust at 11.18 per cent of FGP Topco. |
| Oct 2013 | Secondary | Universities Superannuation Scheme | - | $7.3B | Ferrovial agreed on 22 October 2013 to sell 8.65 percent of FGP Topco, the holding company of Heathrow Airport Holdings, to the Universities Superannuation Scheme, the main pension scheme for UK universities, for GBP 392 million, equal to EUR 463 million. The transaction was expected to complete on 24 October 2013 once funds were received. Ferrovial had indirectly owned 33.65 percent of Heathrow Airport Holdings and its holding fell to 25 percent, which kept it the largest shareholder and industrial partner. Ferrovial described the sale as part of its investment diversification strategy. USS said it was investing for the long term and called the purchase its largest investment in British infrastructure to date. The other shareholders at the time included Qatar Holding, China Investment Corporation, GIC and Alinda. Heathrow Airport Holdings owns and operates Heathrow Airport, the largest airport in the United Kingdom. |
| Nov 2012 | Secondary | China Investment Corporation | - | $7.3B | China Investment Corporation, the Chinese sovereign wealth fund, bought a 10 percent stake in FGP Topco, the parent of Heathrow Airport Holdings, which was then still named BAA. The shares were sold by Ferrovial to Stable Investment Corporation, a CIC subsidiary, in October 2012, and the deal was announced on 31 October and 1 November 2012. CIC's annual report states that it invested GBP 450 million for the stake, which press coverage put at about USD 727 million. After this sale and the stake sold to Qatar Holding, Ferrovial's indirect holding in Heathrow Airport Holdings fell to 33.65 percent. Heathrow Airport Holdings owns and operates Heathrow Airport, the largest airport in the United Kingdom, and earns revenue from airline charges, retail and property. The investment widened CIC's direct holdings in UK infrastructure, which it described as a long-term investment. |
| Aug 2012 | Secondary | Qatar Investment Authority | - | $751M | Qatar Holding, the investment arm of the Qatar Investment Authority, agreed on 17 August 2012 to buy 20 percent of FGP Topco, the parent of Heathrow Airport Holdings, which was then still named BAA, for a total of GBP 900 million. The shares came from three holders: Ferrovial sold 10.62 percent, Britannia Airport Partners 5.63 percent and GIC 3.75 percent, all at the same price per share. Ferrovial's block was priced at GBP 478 million. The purchase needed approval from the European competition authorities and completed in December 2012, when Qatar Holding joined the boards of FGP Topco and Heathrow Airport Holdings. Afterwards Ferrovial held 33.65 percent, Britannia Airport Partners 13.29 percent, GIC 11.88 percent, Alinda 11.18 percent and China Investment Corporation 10 percent. Heathrow Airport Holdings owns and operates Heathrow Airport, the largest airport in the United Kingdom, and earns revenue from airline charges, retail and property. At the time of the agreement the group also owned Stansted, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton airports. |
| Oct 2011 | Secondary | Alinda Capital Partners | - | $7.4B | Ferrovial agreed on 10 October 2011 to sell 5.88 percent of FGP Topco, the parent of BAA (now Heathrow Airport Holdings), to two investment vehicles managed by the US infrastructure investor Alinda Capital Partners. The price was GBP 280 million, or EUR 325 million. Ferrovial had held 55.87 percent of BAA indirectly and its holding fell to 49.99 percent, which let it stop consolidating BAA's debt in its accounts. The remaining shareholders were Britannia Airport Partners with 26.48 percent and GIC with 17.65 percent. Ferrovial said it remained BAA's strategic partner and a long-term investor. BAA owned and operated Heathrow Airport together with Stansted, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton airports at the time. Alinda later became the holder of an 11.18 percent block in FGP Topco, which Queensland's QSuper took over in 2017. |
Who has invested in Heathrow Airport Holdings?
7 investors have backed Heathrow Airport Holdings across its funding rounds, including Ardian, Qatar Investment Authority, China Investment Corporation, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Universities Superannuation Scheme and Alinda Capital Partners.
Lead investors include Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
Heathrow Airport Holdings Investors
| Investor | HQ | Rounds | Role | First check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Participant | Jun 2024 | ||
| 1 | Participant | Nov 2012 | ||
| 1 | Participant | Aug 2012 | ||
| 1 | Participant | Oct 2011 | ||
| 1 | Lead | Jun 2024 | ||
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Benchmark 350K+ Funding Rounds and Disclosed VC Valuation Multiples
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Start Free TrialAcquisitions by Heathrow Airport Holdings
Heathrow Airport Holdings has acquired 1 company to date.
Last acquisition by Heathrow Airport Holdings was on December 1st 2005. Heathrow Airport Holdings acquired Budapest Airport for $2.8B.
Latest Acquisitions by Heathrow Airport Holdings
| Description | Budapest Airport is the operator of Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, formerly Ferihegy, the main international airport of Hungary. The operator holds a long-term right to run the airport, which handles scheduled, low-cost and cargo flights, and earns revenue from airline and passenger charges, ground handling, retail and car parking concessions and property. The Hungarian state privatised the operating company in 2005 by selling a majority stake and the operating right to a foreign airport operator, keeping a minority holding and certain rights. The airport serves Hungary and the wider Central European region and has been owned by international airport and infrastructure investors since privatisation. Its customers are airlines, ground-handling companies, concessionaires and passengers, and the operator also develops cargo and logistics property on the airport site. Capacity investment, route development with airlines and regulated charges set with the Hungarian authorities are the main levers of its business. |
| HQ Country | |
| HQ City | Budapest |
| Deal Date | 1 Dec 2005 |
| Valuation | $2.8B |
| EV/Revenue | |
| EV/EBITDA | |
This data is available for Pro users. Sign up to see all Heathrow Airport Holdings acquisitions and their M&A valuation multiples. Start Free Trial | |
Heathrow Airport Holdings Competitors
Heathrow Airport Holdings competitors include listed companies like GMR Airports, Aéroports de Paris, Shanghai Airport and Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, and private ones like Adani Airports and Perth Airport.
| Company | HQ | Status | Revenue | EBITDA | Valuation | Revenue Multiple |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publicly listed | $1.4B | $617M | $11B | 9.2x | ||
| Publicly listed | $7.5B | $2.2B | $13B | 3.1x | ||
| Publicly listed | $2B | $939M | $9.2B | 4.8x | ||
| Publicly listed | $2.2B | $1.1B | $14B | 7.0x | ||
| Private | $1.4B | $565M | $19B | 13.9x | ||
| Private | - | - | $4.6B | - |
Heathrow Airport Holdings Public Comps
Heathrow Airport Holdings is no longer listed, but its public comps include GMR Airports, Shanghai Airport, Aéroports de Paris, Auckland International Airport, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, Flughafen Zuerich, ASUR, Fraport, Copenhagen Airport and Clear Secure.
| Last FY | EV/Revenue | EV/EBITDA | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | EBITDA | Last FY | LTM | 2027E | Last FY | LTM | 2027E | |
| $1.4B | $617M | 10.6x | 9.2x | 24.3x | 22.7x | |||
| $2B | $939M | 4.9x | 4.8x | 10.5x | 11.1x | |||
| $7.5B | $2.2B | 3.1x | 3.1x | 10.4x | 9.0x | |||
| $540M | $355M | 18.3x | 16.2x | 27.8x | 23.1x | |||
| $2.2B | $1.1B | 7.4x | 7.0x | 14.5x | 12.7x | |||
| $1.7B | $927M | 5.9x | 5.7x | 10.5x | 10.3x | |||
| $2B | $981M | 5.7x | 5.4x | 11.6x | 10.0x | |||
| $5B | $1.6B | 3.8x | 3.8x | 12.1x | 11.7x | |||
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Common questions about Heathrow Airport Holdings
| When was Heathrow Airport Holdings founded? | Heathrow Airport Holdings was founded in 1985. |
| Where is Heathrow Airport Holdings headquartered? | Heathrow Airport Holdings is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. |
| Is Heathrow Airport Holdings publicly listed? | No, Heathrow Airport Holdings was acquired by Ferrovial, Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec and GIC in June 2006. |
| Who acquired Heathrow Airport Holdings? | Heathrow Airport Holdings was acquired by Ferrovial, Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec and GIC in June 2006. |
| How much was Heathrow Airport Holdings acquired for? | Heathrow Airport Holdings was acquired for $30B in June 2006. |
| What is Heathrow Airport Holdings' valuation? | Heathrow Airport Holdings was last valued at $11B in its secondary sale in February 2025. |
| Who are Heathrow Airport Holdings' investors? | Heathrow Airport Holdings' investors include Ardian, China Investment Corporation, Qatar Investment Authority, Alinda Capital Partners, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Universities Superannuation Scheme and Qsuper. |
| What is Heathrow Airport Holdings' revenue? | Heathrow Airport Holdings' latest recorded revenue is $4.5B (February 2025). |
| What is Heathrow Airport Holdings' revenue multiple? | Heathrow Airport Holdings' latest valuation implies a 2.4x revenue multiple ($11B valuation on $4.5B of revenue). |
| Which companies are comparable to Heathrow Airport Holdings? | Companies comparable to Heathrow Airport Holdings include GMR Airports, Aéroports de Paris, Shanghai Airport, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, Adani Airports and Perth Airport. |
| How many companies has Heathrow Airport Holdings acquired? | Heathrow Airport Holdings has acquired 1 company, including Budapest Airport. |
| What was the largest acquisition by Heathrow Airport Holdings? | The $2.8B acquisition of Budapest Airport in December 2005 is the largest acquisition Heathrow Airport Holdings has made to date. |
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