Deals

Final decision: BAA ordered to sell three airports

The UK Competition Commission has demanded that BAA sell three airports in England and Scotland as it tries to foster competition between once monopolistic operators. BAA has not said whether it will carry out the Commission's demands.

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The Competition Commission has published its final decision concerning BAA's monopoly on UK airports, ordering it to sell Stansted and Gatwick, along with either Glasgow or Edinburgh, airports.

BAA, which owns seven UK airports, is already in the process of selling Gatwick, after the Commission issued an initial demand last summer as part of an inquiry into problems caused by lack of competition at UK airports.

“We believe the Commission’s analysis is flawed and its remedies may be impractical in current economic conditions,” BAA said in a statement.

BAA has not said whether it will carry out the Commission’s demands. It said it is “already changing” having improved customer services and initiated the sale of Gatwick.