BAA fights against break up

Tuesday 19th May 2009

BAA is to challenge an order from the Competition Commission to sell off three of its airports.

The group has been forced to put Gatwick, Stansted and either Glasgow or Edinburgh airport up for sale to reduce its dominance in the industry.

After the break up the airport owner would be left with Heathrow, Southampton and Aberdeen airports.

The appeal stems from a possible conflict of interest of one of the report's authors. The author is a strategic advisor to the Greater Manchester Pension Fund - a supporter of one of the two Gatwick bidders.

BAA also said that the depression had devalued its airports - a detail that the commission had not taken into account, according to the group.

The Competition Commission has defended its position, saying that the accused author had already declared his interest at the start of the process.

A verdict is not likely to be reached until the end of the year.

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