Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • Ancala acquires 45% interest in Liverpool John Lennon Airport

Aerospace

Ancala acquires 45% interest in Liverpool John Lennon Airport

Ancala Partners LLP today announced that it has completed the acquisition of a 45% interest in Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) for an undisclosed sum on behalf of its funds.


Courtesy Peel Group

Ancala has purchased 35% of the airport from Peel Group (‘Peel’), one of the UK’s leading private real estate investment and infrastructure companies, and 10% from Liverpool City Council (LCC). Peel and LCC retain 45% and 10% interests respectively.

Liverpool John Lennon is the UK’s 12th busiest airport, serving over 5m passengers in 20181. In July 2019, LJLA was awarded the UK’s only five-star airport rating2 for flight punctuality, underlining its reputation as one of the UK’s best airports for efficiency, ease of use and quality of customer experience.

Advertisement
Teledyne

Ancala believes LJLA is ideally placed to serve the regional economy and has outstanding potential for growth through attracting further capacity from new and existing carriers and building on its non-aeronautical services offering including commercial, retail and car parking.

Spence Clunie, Senior Partner, Ancala, commented: “Transport infrastructure is a highly promising segment of the market, so we are delighted to be acquiring a stake on behalf of our investors in such a prestigious regional airport. LJLA has already seen substantial growth in recent years and we see strong prospects for this continuing.

“We look forward to growing our partnership with the Peel Group, with whom we have a strong track record of creating value in infrastructure assets. Our aim is to work with Peel to make LJLA the first choice for passengers across the region, delivering new routes and services.”

Steven Underwood, Chief Executive, The Peel Group, commented: “The successful track record we share with Ancala was a key factor in selecting them as our partner for LJLA. By building on the airport’s already exceptional operational standards and passenger experience, we aim to be best in class in all respects and to deliver increased  value for all our stakeholders.”

Advertisement
ODU RT

In March 2018, LJLA announced its Strategic Vision to 2030, which included plans to serve more destinations and to increase passenger numbers to 8m a year. It included an expansion of the terminal building; additional car parking and passenger facilities, including hotels, retail, food and drink services.

Ancala and Peel Group announced in May 2017 the launch of a joint venture to establish Leep Utilities, an independent multi-utility operator. Ancala acquired a 50% share in part of Peel’s existing utilities business, which owns and operates a range of private and regulated ‘last mile’ electricity, water and district heating utility assets. Leep provides a platform offering a complete utilities solution to new residential and commercial developments.


 

Advertisement
Babcock LB
Lars Wagner to become CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft

Aerospace

Lars Wagner to become CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft

10 July 2025

Lars Wagner, currently Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTU Aero Engines AG, based in Munich, will join the Airbus Executive Committee and succeed Christian Scherer as CEO of the Commercial Aircraft business, effective 1st January 2026.

Avelia to transform into multiple SAF supplier solution

Aerospace

Avelia to transform into multiple SAF supplier solution

10 July 2025

One of the largest suppliers of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), Shell Aviation, along with Accenture and American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT), has announced today that Avelia is in the process of evolving into an industry solution with independent data hosting and a multisupplier model helping users access the greenhouse gas (GHG) ...

AI firms collaborate with Heathrow to enhance operations

Aerospace

AI firms collaborate with Heathrow to enhance operations

9 July 2025

Heathrow is harnessing advanced technology to make aircraft ground operations faster, smarter and more seamless across 116 gates at Terminals Two, Three and Five, as part of a strategic collaboration with IAG and Assaia.

Viasat test boosts business jet in-flight connectivity

Aerospace

Viasat test boosts business jet in-flight connectivity

8 July 2025

Viasat today announced a milestone for its JetXP business aviation in-flight broadband service, following recent test flights that successfully connected the Global Aero Terminal (GAT) 5510 to a ViaSat-3 satellite for the first time.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025
ST Engineering Antycip’s Merlin MP521 advances student innovation

Aerospace

ST Engineering Antycip’s Merlin MP521 advances student innovation

8 July 2025

Khalifa University of Science and Technology today announced major student and faculty achievements resulting from the use of ST Engineering Antycip’s Merlin MP521 Flight Simulator, which provides hands-on experience in aircraft design and performance evaluation, directly contributing to a growing body of student-led research and academic ...

Birmingham Airport sees busiest ever June

Aerospace

Birmingham Airport sees busiest ever June

8 July 2025

Birmingham Airport (BHX) has had its busiest June ever, with a record 1,360,957 passengers travelling through the airport last month.

Advertisement
Teledyne