The Athens International Airport shares made a spectacular debut on the Athens Stock Exchange on Wednesday, with its price rising 14.02% in midday transactions in heavy trading of more than 50 million euros.
Greek National Economy and Finance Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, addressing a ceremony for the listing of AIA on the main market, said it was a big success both for the company and the Athens Stock Exchange and a historic moment for the country’s course. He noted that the Greek state will collect 785 million euros from the IPO and stressed that the success of the Athens Airport, along with a series of other privatizations (National Bank, Eurobank, Alpha Bank, Helleniq Energy, Attica Road, etc) reflected investors’ confidence on the Greek economy.
Athens Exchange Group CEO G. Kontopoulos said the listing of Athens International Airport on the market was pivotal not only for the company and the stock market but for the Greek economy as well, and sends a message about Greece’s investment dynamism. He added that the listing is the largest in the last 18 years, adding 2.5 billion euros to the market’s capitalization.
Ioannis Paraschis, CEO of AIA, said the listing on the Athens Stock Exchange was a milestone for the company, adding that the airport will offer high quality services, creading value for shareholders and the Greek economy in general.
SOURCE; ANA-MPA
