The Spanish national government is expected to privatize 60% of its holdings in Aena Aeropuertos, a deal that should be completed by next spring and yield 2.4 billion euros in revenue. This money will help to pay down the national debt. It is nearly 100% of GDP.
Ana Pastor originally suggested that the government only sell 49% of Aena and stay the majority shareholder with 60% of the airline business. At these ownership levels, the deal will work.
Structuring the deal so that Aena would be owned mostly by private shareholders was a way to gain investor interest and keep investors from being shy about making decisions for the company because the government owned most of it.
