Stansted Airport owners BAA lose appeal and now have to sell

STANSTED Airport may have to be sold off after owners BAA lost a court battle to stop it being forced to sell two of its UK airports.

The competition commission ruled that the air industry giant had to sell off one airport in the south east and one in Scotland after it deemed that the company had a monopoly.

This was challenged in the court of appeal after BAA had said the ruling was influenced by bias on the commission panel – but that battle has now been lost.

With Heathrow the only other airport in the south east and the jewel in the BAA crown, Stansted would be the most likely candidate for a sale.

In a statement released today (Wednesday October 13) BAA said: “We are disappointed that the Court of Appeal has upheld two of the five grounds argued by the Competition Commission.

“We note the court’s view that apparent bias in relation to a panel member existed during part of the Commission’s investigation and will study this judgement carefully. We will be seeking permission to appeal to the Supreme Court.”

More to follow...