Heathrow Airport Holdings has completed the sale of Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports.

The three airports have been sold to a consortium formed by Spanish infrastructure firm Macquarie and Ferrovial.

Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said: “Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports and their people have been part of our company for a long time. They are great airports and we are proud of their achievements.

“This sale enables us to focus on improving Heathrow for passengers and winning support for Heathrow expansion. Heathrow is the UK’s only hub airport, connecting all of Britain to global growth and bringing economic benefits locally and nationally,” he said.

Southampton airport’s managing director Dave Lees confirmed it will still continue to operate independently as an airport.

“It is very much “business as usual” as we head into the busy Christmas period. We are pleased to be welcoming Southampton Airport’s new owners as we enter the next exciting phase of this award winning airport,” he said in a statement.

The two companies have been in talks for a few months over the selling-off of the three airports. In October BBT reported a £1 billion deal was close to being completed.