Freshfields is advising VINCI Airports, a long-standing client of the firm, on the indirect acquisition from Fintech of a 29.9% stake in Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte, S.A.B. de C.V. (known as OMA), the Mexican airport operator listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange (OMA) and on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (OMAB).
The transaction represents the largest acquisition by VINCI Airports since its investment in London Gatwick airport alongside financial investor GIP in 2019. Details of the transaction and its rationale can be found here.
OMA operates 13 international airports in nine states of central and northern Mexico: OMA’s airports serve Monterrey, Mexico’s third largest metropolitan area, the tourist destinations of Acapulco, Mazatlán and Zihuatanejo, and nine other regional centers and border cities.
Freshfields is assisting VINCI Airports on the structuring and tax aspects of the transaction, with a team lead from Paris by tax Partner Vincent Daniel-Mayeur and Counsel Thomas Métayer, as well as Senior Associate Benjamin Boisanté, US tax Partner Claude Stansbury and Senior Associate David Mitchell.
Orrick (US and Paris) and NHG (Mexico) are advising VINCI Airports on the corporate aspects of the transaction.