UK Government To Review Running Of BAA Airports

It has been announced that the UK government is to review the running of BAA airports after a report indicated that BAA could be failing customers and airlines.

The review will look at ways that customer service can be improved as well as looking at environmental concerns that the airports are generating with local communities. It has already been ruled by the Competition Comission that BAA are dominating airports in the South-East of England and Scotland.

Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly voiced her concerns over the 1986 Airports Act saying that it was one of the oldest in the country and in need of overhauling in the face of the current BAA situation. Ms Kelly has promised that the government review will look at the current regulatory control of UK airports as well as taking into account the recommendations made by the Competition Comission. She has also noted that stakeholders and the aviation industry will be consulted.

There is building pressure for BAA's hold over so many UK airports to be broken up, and BAA are currently fighting to prevent this. The Competition Comission have already stated that they have not yet reached a decision as to the fate of BAA's hold over its airports, however there appears to be mounting pressure and concern that development of the airports is being held-back. This is due to projects appearing to be carried out one at a time.

BAA have welcomed any investigation into its ownership of its airports, but believes that it being forced to sell any of its properties will not aid capcity and will not increase service standards for passengers. Colin Matthews, the chief executive of BAA, has already announced that BAA intend to focus more strongly on the operations of Heathrow Airport, due in part to the mounting problems after the recent issues with the brand new Terminal 5.

Published by: Jon Vickery