British watchdog confirms BAA airports sale ruling

Britain’s competition watchdog yesterday reiterated its ruling for Spanish-owned airports operator BAA to sell two more airports including London Stansted.

The Competition Commission had ordered BAA two years ago to sell London Gatwick and Stansted, as well as Edinburgh or Glasgow airport, within a two-year timeframe.

BAA, bought by Spanish construction group Ferrovial in 2006, subsequently sold Gatwick to US investment fund Global Infrastructure Partners for £1.51 billion in late 2009. “BAA should still be required to sell Stansted Airport and Edinburgh or Glasgow Airport, the Competition Commission has provisionally concluded today,” the watchdog said in a new statement yesterday.