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Balfour Beatty has acquired 95% of Blackpool International Airport in the UK from Belfast-based developer Mar Properties for £14mln (EUR 17.76mln). The transaction is being made through the Balfour Beatty's specialist airport investment and development group, Regional and City Airports (RCA). Some 5%of shares are held by Blackpool Borough Council, whose approval of the sale is expected to be received by 9 May 2008. Balfour Beatty is an international engineering, construction, services and investment group based in the UK.

Blackpool International Airport has 12 routes to destinations in the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man and mainland Europe and is forecast to handle around half a million passengers this year. Key airport customers include Jet2.com, Ryanair and Manx2.com. Balfour Beatty has been involved in a number of airport infrastructure projects. In January 2007 RCA acquired Exeter International Airport for £60mln (EUR 76.18mln), which is now considered one of the fastest growing airports in the UK.

Ian Tyler, Balfour Beatty chief executive, commented: 'Blackpool International is a well-located airport with the potential to become a thriving international gateway to Lancashire and Cumbria. We will work together with the airlines and our local partners to help increase its penetration within this core catchment area and to play its part in attracting inbound visitors to the region. We believe that our approach will deliver significant, sustained growth in passenger traffic at the airport and will generate important economic benefits for it and for Blackpool. Our aim is to develop Blackpool to be the airport of choice for residents, businesses and visitors of Lancashire and Cumbria.'