Terminal Turnaround

Client Objective

In 2019, a European sovereign wealth fund sought to enhance the returns of a non-core infrastructure asset: a mid-sized international airport terminal in a stable OECD country. The terminal, while operational, suffered from underutilized retail space, aging concessions, and stagnant passenger growth. The fund engaged ValueFinity to assess, restructure, and reposition the asset for long-term value creation.

ValueFinity’s Approach

ValueFinity deployed a multi-disciplinary team—including aviation specialists, commercial real estate operators, and digital experience designers—to execute a three-phase strategy:

Operational Audit & Revenue Optimization
Conducted a granular review of lease structures, passenger flow, and concession performance. Identified $12M in annual revenue leakage from below-market rents and inefficient space allocation.
Strategic Repositioning
Partnered with global duty-free operators and premium F&B brands to overhaul the retail mix. Introduced biometric screening and contactless retail pilots to elevate passenger experience and increase dwell-time spend.
Infrastructure Modernization & ESG Integration
Led a $45M retrofit to improve energy efficiency, achieve BREEAM “Excellent” certification, and future-proof terminal capacity for post-pandemic travel recovery.

Results

+68% increase in non-aeronautical revenue within 36 months
22% rise in passenger satisfaction scores (ACI benchmark)
Terminal valuation more than doubled, enabling a successful partial exit in 2024 at a 14.2% net IRR
Asset now serves as a model for sustainable, experience-driven airport management across the region

Why It Matters
This case exemplifies ValueFinity’s core philosophy: enduring value is created not by passive ownership, but by active repositioning. By combining sector expertise, operational rigor, and forward-looking ESG integration, we transformed a legacy asset into a resilient, high-performing mobility hub—delivering both financial returns and strategic impact for our investor partner.

Confidential details have been anonymized per client agreement.