Virgin Atlantic Show Interest In Gatwick Airport Purchase

Tuesday 2nd September 2008

Virgin Atlantic have expressed an interest in the purchase of Gatwick Airport - however highlighted that this would only be as part of a consortium.

Virgin Atlantic 747 at Gatwick Airport

Virgin's comments have come a fortnight after the Competition Commission ruled that BAA may have to sell three of their airports - however the final decision and report are still to be released. The report has also warned that they may be expected to sell two of their London airports.

It seems clear however that BAA have no intention of selling Heathrow Airport, therefore it seems likely that either Stansted or Gatwick will be the ones to go with the possibility that both may need to be sold if the Competition Commission deems it necessary.

In an interview with the Daily Telegraph Virgin boss Richard Branson commented that Virgin would be interested in the purchase of the airport, but only as part of a consortium. Virgin Atlantic are apparently in the process of speaking to other interested parties about the possibility of a consortium purchase.

It has been estimated that the price of Gatwick could be up to £2 billion.