Infrastructure fund manager Ancala is now the majority shareholder of Liverpool John Lennon Airport as Peel Group exits the business after 28 years. Tony McDonough reports
Peel Group has sold its 47.1% stake in Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA), exiting the business after 28 years.
Infrastructure fund manager Ancala has acquired the stake for an undisclosed sum and is now the majority shareholder of LJLA with a 94.2% share. The only other shareholder is Liverpool City Council which owns 5.8%.
Since the end of the pandemic LJLA has gone from strength to strength. The business returned to profit and in 2024 passenger numbers soared above 5m for the first time in several years.
This is largely thanks to the arrival of Jet2, which now flies to more than 20 destinations from Liverpool, as well as the continued expansion of airport stalwarts easyJet and Ryanair.
This year has seen a multi-million pound investment into the airport’s passenger facilities with new hospitality outlets. Earlier this month LJLA unveiled its expanded executive lounge.
In 1997 Peel Group, which also owns the former Mersey Docks estate on both sides of the River Mersey, acquired British Aerospace’s 76% stake in LJLA. It sold a 35% stake to Ancala in 2019.
Peel Group chief executive Steven Underwood said: “The Peel Group is proud of the remarkable progress and success of the airport since our initial investment in 1997.
“Over the years, the airport has not only seen significant growth in passenger numbers and popularity but has also become renowned for the quality of its infrastructure and the overall passenger experience.
“With Ancala’s deep understanding of the airport, their passion for its continued success and a proven track record, we are confident that this new chapter supported by an exceptional management team will enable the airport to build on its strong foundations and continue its trajectory of growth and performance.”
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Tim Power, partner at Ancala, added: “Increasing our stake reflects our continued confidence in the airport and its future potential.
“Through increasing our stake, we were also pleased to offer an attractive co-investment opportunity to our institutional investor base as we drive the airport’s next phase of growth.”
Cllr Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council said the city council was “looking forward to continuing the positive and collaborative partnership we already have with Ancala”.