Abertis expands its presence in France with the acquisition of the A-63 motorway

 

Abertis, a world leader in the management of mobility infrastructures, has taken a significant step in its European expansion by agreeing to acquire 51,2% of the A-63 motorway in France. This transaction, carried out through its subsidiary French HIT, marks a milestone in the company's growth strategy, which seeks to strengthen its presence in key markets and extend the concession life of its portfolio.

 

The A-63, a 104-kilometer road axis that connects Salles with Saint-Geours-de-Marenne in the southwest of France, is a vital artery for the transport of goods between the Iberian Peninsula and Northern Europe. Its strategic importance is reinforced by its connection to key cities such as Bordeaux, Bayonne, Biarritz and Saint Jean de Luz, making it a crucial link in the European transport network.

 

"We are very pleased to expand our presence in a market like France, which allows us to consolidate our position as a leading operator, not only in the country, but also in Europe, where we have years of experience managing infrastructure," he stated. Jose Aljaro, CEO of Abertis.

 

The A-63 is a strategic corridor between Spain and northern Europe, serving as a link between Bordeaux and the towns of Bayonne, Biarritz, Anglet and Saint-Jean-de-Luz, forming an important tourist area close to the Spanish border.

 

 

The motorway, completed in 2013, is in an excellent state of maintenance and does not require significant additional investments, ensuring its long-term profitability. In 2024, it generated revenues of 170 million euros and an EBITDA of 134 million euros, with a traffic trend that is constantly growing. The A-63 concession extends until 2051, ensuring a stable income stream for Abertis for decades to come.

 

This acquisition adds to Abertis' recent operations in Puerto Rico, Spain and Chile, demonstrating the company's ability to expand and diversify its portfolio in markets with strong legal frameworks and stable currencies.

 

To support this expansion, the shareholders of Abertis, ACS Group and Mundys, will inject 400 million euros of capital, strengthening the company's balance sheet and reaffirming its leadership in the transport infrastructure concession sector.

 

Abertis in France: A Long-Term Commitment

 

The acquisition of the A-63 strengthens Abertis' presence in France, where the Sanef Group already operates, managing nearly 1.800 kilometres of motorways in the north of the country. Sanef has been a pioneer in the implementation of innovative technologies to improve the efficiency of traffic and toll systems, highlighting the recent barrier-free toll project on the A-13 and A-14 motorways.

 

"The addition of this new asset is a step forward in our growth and cash flow replacement strategy, extending the Group's concessionary life," Aljaro added.

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The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to close as quickly as possible.