August 17, 2008
2:56pm UK, Saturday August 16, 2008
The chairman of Britain’s biggest airport operator has said he expects the Competition Commission to order the break-up of the company.
BAA boss doesn’t believe move will benefit Heathrow
BAA boss Sir Nigel Rudd said he anticipates having to sell key airports such as Gatwick or Heathrow.
He said it would not be a “disaster” for the company but insisted it would do little to increase competition at its main airport, Heathrow.
BAA, which is owned by the Spanish property group Ferrovial, has a near monopoly on airports in south east England and Scotland.
As well as Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, it also owns Southampton, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen.
It has been widely criticised for poor passenger facilities and excessive airline charges, culminating in the Terminal Five opening fiasco at Heathrow.
Sir Nigel said: “Heathrow does not compete with Gatwick and with Stansted or with Luton or
Manchester.
“It competes with Charles de Gaulle (Paris), it competes with Dubai now and with Schiphol (Amsterdam).
“I think there is a mood in the country that just wants the business broken up. But I think the competition issue actually doesn’t wash.”
