AIRPORTS operator BAA has announced it is to launch a subsequent appeal against the Competition Commission’s ruling that it must sell Stansted Airport.

The company today (Wednesday) initiated appeal proceedings against a ruling by the Competition Appeal Tribunal on February 1, which found in favour of the Competition Commission’s decision that the airport must be sold. BAA believes that the judgement was “flawed”.

Campaign group Stop Stansted Expansion (SSE) said it meant the uncertainty over the future ownership of Stansted Airport was set to continue for at least another six months.

SSE’s economics adviser Brian Ross said: “True to form, BAA has again waited until the final day before lodging this appeal.

“It is clear that BAA wants to cling onto Stansted for as long as possible but with every day that passes Stansted is losing customers and jobs and for any future owner becoming a weaker competitor for BAA’s Heathrow Airport.”