Vinci will pay £2.9 billion (SEK 33.3 billion) for its more than half of the major airport in London, which is Europe's eighth largest. The remaining 49.99 percent will be retained by current owner Global Infrastructure Partners.

Gatwick has the world's busiest single runway, which broke a record in 2017 with 950 flights in one day, Vinci writes in a statement that also praises Gatwick for its constant innovations and efficiencies at all levels: self-check-in of baggage, systems for queuing up aircraft, parking management and more.

With this purchase, Vinci will control 46 airports worldwide.

Last week, Gatwick was forced to ground all flights for a day and a half after a few errant drones were spotted. Police have yet to track down the culprits.

Source: TT