Competition Commission requires BAA to sell 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. It also proposes to introduce measures to ensure that investment and levels of service at Heathrow, and possibly Gatwick and Stansted, meet more effectively the needs of airlines, passengers and other airport users. At Aberdeen airport, it is proposing measures to promote investment linked to rebates on charges.

The CC also intends to make recommendations to the Government on a more effective, and ultimately more flexible, system of airport regulation and also on aspects of government airports policy.

The CC will now consider responses to its provisional decision document published today at www.competition-commission.org.uk. It expects to publish its final report on BAA’s seven UK airports, and the appropriate remedies, in late February or early March 2009.

Read the full details here.