World Duty Free confirms it is up for sale

Tina Milton

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The company has finally verified that BAA owner Grupo Ferrovial has put it on the market following a strategic review of its non-core assets

BAA owner Grupo Ferrovial has put World Duty Free (WDF) up for sale, the travel retailer has confirmed in a statement. The move is the result of a strategic review of BAA’s non-core airport activities, including WDF, which began after Ferrovial acquired the company in June 2006.

In a statement WDF said: "Following its acquisition by the Ferrovial-led consortium, ADI, in June 2006, all BAA’s non-core airport activities, including World Duty Free, were placed under a strategic review. This review has been ongoing and the group’s recent decision to seek a buyer for World Duty Free is the outcome of that review. Needless to say, while this sales process is under way it remains very much business as usual for World Duty Free."

Speculation about the future of WDF began last June as Ferrovial sought ways to reduce its debt burden following the £10bn ($21bn) acquisition of airports group BAA. Autogrill, owner of Alpha Airports Group and half of Aldeasa, is believed to be the frontrunner to bid for WDF. Other potential bidders include DFS Group, The Nuance Group, Gebr Heinemann, Dufry Group, Aer Rianta International and Aelia.