€170 million in financing provided by local banks, indexed to sustainability targets, to improve its model and modernise its infrastructure.
Bordeaux Airport announces the signing of an innovative €170 million financing agreement with a pool of regional banks, a strong mark of confidence from financial partners for this project financed without public funding. This sustainability-linked financing marks a decisive step: Bordeaux Airport’s determination to place environmental and social responsibility at the heart of its economic model, combining our economic performance, service quality and responsible commitment.
A strong regional commitment for a forward-looking project
More than just a development lever, this financing is a commitment to the region. Backed by regional banking players supporting the airport’s development strategy, it will contribute to funding majorl investments aimed at modernising airport infrastructure, improving the passenger experience and sustainably strengthening the attractiveness of Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
Aware of our economic role and the service we owe to our customers and the region, and committed to the Convention des Entreprises pour le Climat* pathway, this innovative structure affirms that our financial performance is now inseparable from our ESG performance.
Three sustainability pillars aligned with our Purpose
This financing stands out through is indexed to ambitious non-financial performance indicators:
1/ Climate (Scopes 1 & 2): An ambition to achieve carbon neutrality (Net Zero) for our direct operations by 2030.
2/ Transport decarbonisation (Scope 3): Full electrification of aircraft stands by the end of 2026. A 40% reduction in CO₂e emissions related to ground operations by 2028 (vs 2023), before extending targets to emissions from the take-off and landing cycle.
3/ Social commitment: A large-scale upskilling plan targeting 75% of employees trained in the challenges of tomorrow by 2030.
Following this financing, Bordeaux Airport will carry 70% of its outstanding debt under sustainability-linked indicators.
A unique innovation in Europe for the decarbonisation of the aviation sector
In line with its ambition to transform the sector, Bordeaux Airport and the banking pool are introducing an unprecedented and an innovative bonus/penalty mechanism.
As part of a circular approach, if targets are achieved, 50% of the interest rate bonus obtained by Bordeaux Airport will be allocated to a SAF** (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) support mechanism launched by the airport company.
Conversely, if targets are not met, the banking pool commits to reallocating 50% of the penalty to this same fund. In this way, the decarbonisation objective will be supported in all cases.
Financing provided by a pool of regional banks
This responsible financing was concluded with partner banks from Nouvelle-Aquitaine, thanks to coordinated mobilisation of all stakeholders, including the State as grantor, around a structuring project unanimously recognised as essential for the region: Caisse d’Epargne Aquitaine Poitou-Charentes, BRED Banque Populaire, La Banque Postale, CIC Sud-Ouest, Crédit Agricole Aquitaine, Crédit Coopératif and LCL. Bordeaux Airport was supported in this transaction by EY Infrastructure Advisory & Project Finance and EY Société d’Avocats.
*Bordeaux Airport has committed to a leadership pathway within the Convention des Entreprises pour le Climat, aimed at strengthening the robustness of the company’s economic model..
**The SAF support mechanism of Bordeaux Airport aims to bring together local companies to accelerate the deployment of sustainable aviation fuels by financing part of the additional cost. By facilitating their adoption by airlines, it contributes to reducing the climate impact of air transport and, ultimately, supports the emergence of a SAF sector within the region.
