TBI airport buy-up

Norton Rose advised property group TBI which recently paid £100 million for Belfast International Airport, one of the UK's largest regional terminals.

The law firm's team was led by Keith Hyman and Barbara Stephenson. Banking partner Richard Calnan with assistant Matthew Paget negotiated the acquisition financing.

Hyman said: "This deal involved complex issues which had to be dealt with against the backdrop of the continuing troubles in Northern Ireland.

"There was also a lot of competition among potential buyers. Regional airports are seen as presenting good growth opportunities."

Belfast International, advised by Lovell White Durrant, was 50 per cent owned by investment groups and the rest was controlled by management and employees.