Vinci Airports is now the biggest shareholder in Mexican airport operator OMA after finalising the acquisition of Fintech’s 29.99% stake for $1.17bn.

The deal announced this summer gives Vinci an operational role in 13 airports in the country, which Vinci said had “high growth potential”.

The company will hold 25-year concessions for Monterrey international airport as well as regional and tourist airports on the Pacific coast and in the centre of the country, such as Acapulco, San Luis Potosí, Torreon, and Durango.

Passenger traffic at OMA airports has hovered above pre-pandemic levels since last July. In the first 11 months of 2022, traffic was at 99% of its 2019 level.

During that time, the airports handled 21 million passengers and flights to and from 170 destinations.

Vinci said it will maintain this momentum by starting direct flights between Monterrey and the US cities of Los Angeles, Houston, Detroit, and Austin.

The company operates more than 70 airports worldwide.