Routes and Airports Channel

BAA mulls options on forced sale ruling

By Sandra Arnoult
ATW's Airports Today, April, 2009, p.3

BAA said it has not decided on its next step following a final ruling in March by the UK Competition Commission requiring it to sell both London Gatwick and Stansted and either Edinburgh or Glasgow International. "We are still considering the Competition Commission's Final Report and are keeping all options open," BAA spokesperson Stuart Butchers told ATW.

In its report issued following a two-year inquiry, the CC stipulated that BAA must sell the three airports within two years and that they are to be sold in sequence, beginning with Gatwick, then Stansted, then one of the Scottish facilities. They must be sold to different owners and the purchasers must be approved by the CC.

When asked if the airports operator had viable offers from purchases, Butchers said, "There are several committed bidders in this final round of the process. Gatwick is a unique asset with excellent long-term value and we are very happy with the level of interest."

BAA reported a 2.7% year-to-year decline in passenger numbers at its UK airports between 2008 and 2007 and an 18.5% fall in operating profit to £582 million.

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