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22/04/2008
Competition Commission Questions BAA Role
The Competition Commission has ruled that the British Airports Authority's (BAA) possession of several UK airports may not be in the "interests of either airlines or passengers".
While the commission has not reached any decision it is expected that it will call for BAA to sell one or more of its seven airports in its August report.
Christopher Clarke, Chairman of the BAA Airports Inquiry, said: "BAA dominates the airports markets in the South-East of England and in lowland Scotland, both areas of high economic activity and importance.
"Currently there is no competition between BAA’s three London airports and only very limited competition from non-BAA airports.
"On the south-east airports, there is a very real prospect of competition between the three London airports, and from the BAA London airports to Southampton subject to capacity and regulation.
"Separate ownership would itself create a greater incentive to expand capacity at the three airports.
"While we are purposely setting out our current thinking in some detail, we have reached no conclusions."
Mr Clarke added that BAA’s ownership of London’s main airports Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted after privatisation in 1987 was to ensure "adequate airport capacity" for the south-east of England but that there was still a "shortage of capacity".
The company, which is owned by Ferrovial also has a 65% stake in Naples Airport and retail management contracts at three US airports.
(DS)
While the commission has not reached any decision it is expected that it will call for BAA to sell one or more of its seven airports in its August report.
Christopher Clarke, Chairman of the BAA Airports Inquiry, said: "BAA dominates the airports markets in the South-East of England and in lowland Scotland, both areas of high economic activity and importance.
"Currently there is no competition between BAA’s three London airports and only very limited competition from non-BAA airports.
"On the south-east airports, there is a very real prospect of competition between the three London airports, and from the BAA London airports to Southampton subject to capacity and regulation.
"Separate ownership would itself create a greater incentive to expand capacity at the three airports.
"While we are purposely setting out our current thinking in some detail, we have reached no conclusions."
Mr Clarke added that BAA’s ownership of London’s main airports Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted after privatisation in 1987 was to ensure "adequate airport capacity" for the south-east of England but that there was still a "shortage of capacity".
The company, which is owned by Ferrovial also has a 65% stake in Naples Airport and retail management contracts at three US airports.
(DS)
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02 September 2008
Virgin May Bid For Gatwick Ownership
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Virgin May Bid For Gatwick Ownership
A team from Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic Group is in the market to bid for a major UK airport. He has put together a consortium to raise the £2bn to buy Britain's second largest airport - Gatwick - now that the current owner BAA is selling it due to well publicised competition concerns.
19 March 2009
CC Orders BAA To Sell Two Airports
The Competition Commission (CC) has ordered BAA to sell both Gatwick and Stansted as well as either Edinburgh or Glasgow. In its final report on BAA's ownership of seven UK airports, the CC also stipulates that BAA must sell all three airports within two years.
CC Orders BAA To Sell Two Airports
The Competition Commission (CC) has ordered BAA to sell both Gatwick and Stansted as well as either Edinburgh or Glasgow. In its final report on BAA's ownership of seven UK airports, the CC also stipulates that BAA must sell all three airports within two years.
20 August 2008
Commission Urges BAA To Sell Three Airports
BAA is being urged to sell three of its seven airports because of concerns about its dominance in the market. The Competition Commission (CC) is recommending that the airport operator should have to sell two of its three airports in the south east: Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.
Commission Urges BAA To Sell Three Airports
BAA is being urged to sell three of its seven airports because of concerns about its dominance in the market. The Competition Commission (CC) is recommending that the airport operator should have to sell two of its three airports in the south east: Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.
30 March 2011
BAA To Press Ahead With Airport Sales
BAA should still be required to sell Stansted Airport and Edinburgh or Glasgow Airport, the Competition Commission (CC) has provisionally concluded today.
BAA To Press Ahead With Airport Sales
BAA should still be required to sell Stansted Airport and Edinburgh or Glasgow Airport, the Competition Commission (CC) has provisionally concluded today.
17 December 2008
BAA Told To Sell Three Airports
The Competition Commission (CC) has confirmed that, subject to final consultation, it will require BAA to sell both Gatwick and Stansted airports as well as Edinburgh airport.
BAA Told To Sell Three Airports
The Competition Commission (CC) has confirmed that, subject to final consultation, it will require BAA to sell both Gatwick and Stansted airports as well as Edinburgh airport.
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