Tasmania’s state government is selling the state’s number one airport to a consortium that includes Australia’s Macquarie Group and the state government’s public sector superannuation fund.

Tasmanian Gateway Consortium says in a statement it has signed an agreement with Tasmanian Ports Corporation to buy Hobart International Airport for A$350.5 million ($309 million). Tasmanian Ports is the state government body responsible for the airport and the state’s sea ports.

The consortium says once it takes over the airport it is looking to expand the terminal and add more retail space.

Those in the consortium are: Macquarie Global Infrastructure Fund III, Macquarie Capital Group and the Retirement Benefits Fund Board (RBFB).

RBFB is the state government’s superannuation fund for its public sector employees.

Macquarie Group says in a separate statement Macquarie has a 20% stake in the consortium.

Hobart is the main airport on Australia’s southern island state of Tasmania and it competes against Launceston airport which is in the north of the island.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news

Source: FlightGlobal.com