As quoted in the TTG - 12-01-07
Former Yorkshire Electricity chief exec Sir Graham Hall is spearheading a bid by Bridgepoint Capital to buy Leeds/Bradford airport.
Hall confirmed he was leading Bridgepoint's bid, which is likely to be one of up to four that will be shortlisted to aquire the airport today.
Hall declined to comment on Bridgepoint's proposals but identified the expansion of Europes routes, capital investment and retail development as the three main areas of opportunity at the airport.
While the initial asking price for Leeds/Bradford was thought to have been about £40m (TTG Oct 20th 2006), the sale last week of Exeter International airport to Regional and City Airports for £60m is likely to have bumped up bids considerably.
The final price for Leeds/Bradford has already been tipped as high as £100m.
The airport is estimated to have handled about 2.9 million passengers last year.
Hall and Bridgepoint are likely to be up against some stiff competition from other UK airport groups and venture capital companies, though it is thought that an interested US bidder has already dropped out.
Hall said his experience running a private sector company and chairing regional development bodies, Yorkshire forward and Northern Way would stand him in good stead as a strong local candidate to run the airport.
Leeds and Bradford city councils, which own 80% of the airport are to begin the bidding process today (Friday) and will be keen to seal a deal by April before council elections take place.
Interesting stuff then, if you want to check out Bridgepoint follow the link.
www.bridgepoint-capital.com/default.asp?sID=1101378498812