Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance advises VINCI Airports on concession of Kobe Airport

Clifford Chance advised leading global airport operator VINCI Airports S.A.S. on the project agreement with Kobe City for the 42-year concession of Kobe Airport. VINCI teamed up with ORIX Corporation and Kansai Airports to participate in the bid.

The team advised VINCI Airports on all aspects of the transaction, including the bidding process and the arrangements between VINCI and the other members of the consortium.

Partners Ross Howard and Yusuke Abe led on the deal. They were supported by counsel Akihiko Takamatsu, senior associates Makiko Watanabe and Luna Hiraoka and associate Keisuke Otsuka.
In 2015/16, the firm advised VINCI Airports on their successful joint bid with ORIX Corporation for the concession of Japan's Kansai and Osaka international airports and on the creation of the new operator, Kansai Airports.

Ross said, "We were delighted to assist VINCI Airports once again following the successful concession agreement of the Kansai and Osaka airports, the first ever airport privatisation in Japan and the country's biggest public private partnership. We are pleased to have achieved another successful outcome for our client."

Yusuke said, "This is another important step for successful expansion of the Japan business of VINCI Airports. With Kansai, Osaka and Kobe airports all under Kansai Airports' control from April, the three airports can be operated in an integrated and coherent fashion so as to maximise the potential of all three assets."