Ancala acquires additional 47% interest in Liverpool John Lennon Airport from The Peel Group

The transaction provides an exit for private real estate and infrastructure investment firm, The Peel Group. The firm first took a 76% stake in the Airport in 1997 when Robert Hough became Chairman.

Since then, The Peel Group has enabled major projects which have encouraged a sustained period of development and transformation. This includes the construction of the new terminal to expand the airport’s capacity and enhance the service it provides to passengers and assembling a best-in-class management team to deliver the business plan.

Ancala first invested in Liverpool John Lennon Airport in 2019, as part of a joint venture with The Peel Group and Liverpool City Council.

The airport’s revenues have grown by 47% since the financial year ending 31 March 2019. In the financial year ending 31 March 2025, revenues reached £53.9m as the airport welcomed 5.2m passengers, a 21% increase year-on-year. In August 2025, the airport recorded its busiest ever month with more than 616,000 passengers travelling through the airport.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport’s growth has been driven by a transformational business plan, developed in close collaboration with its shareholders, delivered by its management team and the broader workforce.

This has seen it secure additional airlines and based aircraft on site to offer more flights to passengers. In early 2024, Jet2.com launched at the airport and easyJet and Ryanair have also increased their capacity. The airport now has 18 based aircraft, the most in its history.

It has also increased average customer spend through a comprehensive improvement plan. The airport recently completed a £9m re-design of its food and drink, retail and lounge facilities, introduced a new space to help relax passengers with sensory or cognitive impairments and installed new security scanners to streamline required checks.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport currently ranks among the UK’s most punctual airports and was voted Best UK Airport by UK consumer group Which? in 2023 and 2024.

In support of its 2040 decarbonisation strategy, the airport is about to complete the construction of an on-site solar farm designed to generate up to 25% of the electricity consumed across the airport’s community annually, a key step in reducing its scope 1 and 2 emissions.

John Irving, Chief Executive, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, comments:

“Ever since Ancala invested in 2019, its team has been highly proactive and supportive of our mission to deliver a faster, easier and friendlier experience for our customers. With Ancala’s increased commitment to the airport, I’m confident we’ll continue to build on our momentum as we expand airline partnerships and welcome more passengers.

“I would like to thank The Peel Group for their original vision, long-term investment and dedication to Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Their contribution over the last 28 years has been instrumental in transforming the airport into the nation’s favourite.”

Tim Power, Partner, Ancala, adds:

“Liverpool John Lennon Airport is one of Europe’s top performing airports. Since our initial investment, we have worked closely with John, Liverpool City Council, the wider management team and our shareholders to unlock value creation opportunities which have enabled the business to provide its industry-leading services to even more customers. We would especially like to thank The Peel Group for their continued trust in us and for our long-standing and successful business partnerships.

“Ancala is proud of the strong partnership we’ve built with Liverpool City Council and we look forward to continuing our collaborative work to support the region’s growth and prosperity.

“Increasing our stake reflects our continued confidence in the airport and its future potential. Through increasing our stake, we were also pleased to offer an attractive co-investment opportunity to our institutional investor base as we drive the airport’s next phase of growth.”

Cllr Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, says:

“The longstanding and constructive relationship we’ve shared with Peel and Ancala, whose commitment to the airport has driven significant investment and regeneration, has helped to establish Liverpool John Lennon Airport as one of the best in the UK.

“We’re looking forward to continuing the positive and collaborative partnership we already have with Ancala, delivering continued growth and opportunity for the airport and our city.”

Steven Underwood, CEO, The Peel Group, adds:

“The Peel Group is proud of the remarkable progress and success of the airport since our initial investment in 1997. Over the years, the airport has not only seen significant growth in passenger numbers and popularity but has also become renowned for the quality of its infrastructure and the overall passenger experience.

“With Ancala’s deep understanding of the airport, their passion for its continued success and a proven track record, we are confident that this new chapter supported by an exceptional management team will enable the airport to build on its strong foundations and continue its trajectory of growth and performance.

“The Peel Group remains a committed supporter and customer of the airport through our broader investments in Liverpool and the Northwest. We extend our best wishes to Ancala, Liverpool City Council and all the airport staff for continued success in the future.”

Financial details of the transaction are undisclosed.