Schiphol Airport ‘eyeing Zaventem’

15 June 2004

BRUSSELS – Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport is one of several parties bidding for a part of the company that operates Brussels International Airport, it was reported on Tuesday.

Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant reported that Schiphol has offered between EUR 400 million and EUR 500 million for 70 percent of Brussels International Airport Co. (BIAC), which operates the airport at Zaventem outside of Brussels.

Schiphol has confirmed that it has made a non-binding offer, but is bound by a confidentiality agreement not to disclose details.

Other potential suitors for Brussels Airport reportedly include Paris’ Charles de Gaulle, Copenhagen, Vienna and Frankfurt airports, as well as unnamed British and Australian investors.

The Belgian government, which owns nearly 64 percent of BIAC, plans to sell up to 70 percent of the company.

In March, both the government and private investors (who own 30 percent of BIAC) announced they were planning to sell part of their shares, though the government plans to keep a 30 percent stake.

[Copyright Expatica 2004]

Subject : Belgian news