BAA told to see three airports in two years

www.competition-commission.org.uk

In its final report issued on Thursday, the Competition Commission (CC) has ordered UK airports operator BAA to sell three of its seven airports.

Specifically, it is requiring the Spanish-owned operator to sell both Gatwick and Stansted airports in London, and also either Edinburgh or Glasgow airport in Scotland, within two years.

BAA has been severely criticised for service levels at its airports, by the commission and by airlines and passengers who use the facilities. It announced the sale of Gatwick earlier this year, in anticipation of the CC ruling.

The CC investigation of BAA has been ongoing for the last two years. It has said that the airports must be sold in sequence, with Gatwick first, followed by Stansted, and then either Edinburgh or Glasgow.

In addition to these airports, BAA also operates Aberdeen, Heathrow and Southampton airports.

“We are confident that the sale of these airports will bring substantial benefits to passengers and airlines,” said CC inquiry chairman, Christopher Clarke.

Thanks to www.theherald.co.uk for the above quotes, for more information on this article please visit their website.

www.competition-commission.org.uk