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18/08/2008
BAA Bids Begin
As the Competition Commission is expected to report that British Airport Authority (BAA) ownership of a total of seven airports in the UK may not be "serving the interests of either airlines or passengers", bids are already being made for BAA's airports.
The Competition Commission's draft report into the airport operator is expected to push BAA to sell of some of its airports in London and Scotland.
It is also expected to go one step further in its preliminary report due out this week and recommend the break up of BAA's monopoly ownership of the main London and Scottish airports.
At present, BAA own and operate Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted and Southampton airports.
Now, Manchester Airport Group, which already owns Manchester, East Midlands, Bourenmouth and Humberside have announced their interests in acquiring a further airport.
"We have a strong track record when it comes to running airports - we have a lot of skilled people who have developed very good relationships with airlines and other partners," said Chief Executive of Manchester Airports Group Geoff Muirhead. "The group is interested in acquiring assets that will add value for our shareholders."
Spanish group Ferrovial acquired BAA in 2006 for €23.6bn and continues to invest heavily with the Queen officially opening Heathrow Airport's since controversial Terminal 5 in March, describing it as "a 21st Century gateway to Britain".
However, the £4.3bn terminal was plagued with 'teething problems' for many weeks afterwards, but has since recovered.
Latest results show that BAAs UK airports have handled a total of 70.4 million passengers this year to date, a drop of 0.6% on the same period last year.
During June, passengers comprised 13.5 million of the total, a drop of 1.8% on the same month last year.
The company said that given the combination of a weakening global economic climate and the impact of higher fuel costs on airfares, this result compares well with contemporary results coming from some major UK retailers.
(BMcC)
The Competition Commission's draft report into the airport operator is expected to push BAA to sell of some of its airports in London and Scotland.
It is also expected to go one step further in its preliminary report due out this week and recommend the break up of BAA's monopoly ownership of the main London and Scottish airports.
At present, BAA own and operate Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted and Southampton airports.
Now, Manchester Airport Group, which already owns Manchester, East Midlands, Bourenmouth and Humberside have announced their interests in acquiring a further airport.
"We have a strong track record when it comes to running airports - we have a lot of skilled people who have developed very good relationships with airlines and other partners," said Chief Executive of Manchester Airports Group Geoff Muirhead. "The group is interested in acquiring assets that will add value for our shareholders."
Spanish group Ferrovial acquired BAA in 2006 for €23.6bn and continues to invest heavily with the Queen officially opening Heathrow Airport's since controversial Terminal 5 in March, describing it as "a 21st Century gateway to Britain".
However, the £4.3bn terminal was plagued with 'teething problems' for many weeks afterwards, but has since recovered.
Latest results show that BAAs UK airports have handled a total of 70.4 million passengers this year to date, a drop of 0.6% on the same period last year.
During June, passengers comprised 13.5 million of the total, a drop of 1.8% on the same month last year.
The company said that given the combination of a weakening global economic climate and the impact of higher fuel costs on airfares, this result compares well with contemporary results coming from some major UK retailers.
(BMcC)
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19 March 2009
CC Orders BAA To Sell Two Airports
The Competition Commission (CC) has ordered BAA to sell both Gatwick and Stansted as well as either Edinburgh or Glasgow. In its final report on BAA's ownership of seven UK airports, the CC also stipulates that BAA must sell all three airports within two years.
CC Orders BAA To Sell Two Airports
The Competition Commission (CC) has ordered BAA to sell both Gatwick and Stansted as well as either Edinburgh or Glasgow. In its final report on BAA's ownership of seven UK airports, the CC also stipulates that BAA must sell all three airports within two years.
17 September 2008
BAA Announces Plans To Sell Gatwick "Immediately"
Airport operator BAA has announced plans to sell the UK's second-largest airport, Gatwick "immediately". BAA's Chief Executive Colin Matthews, in a statement, said: "Gatwick has long been an important and valuable part of BAA and the decision to sell was not taken lightly.
BAA Announces Plans To Sell Gatwick "Immediately"
Airport operator BAA has announced plans to sell the UK's second-largest airport, Gatwick "immediately". BAA's Chief Executive Colin Matthews, in a statement, said: "Gatwick has long been an important and valuable part of BAA and the decision to sell was not taken lightly.
02 September 2008
Virgin May Bid For Gatwick Ownership
A team from Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic Group is in the market to bid for a major UK airport. He has put together a consortium to raise the £2bn to buy Britain's second largest airport - Gatwick - now that the current owner BAA is selling it due to well publicised competition concerns.
Virgin May Bid For Gatwick Ownership
A team from Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic Group is in the market to bid for a major UK airport. He has put together a consortium to raise the £2bn to buy Britain's second largest airport - Gatwick - now that the current owner BAA is selling it due to well publicised competition concerns.
10 August 2005
London bombings affect air traffic
BAA has reported a 2.6% increase in UK airport traffic figures in July, compared with last year, with its seven airports handling a record 14.6 million passengers last month. However, the airport operator said that the London bombings on July 7 had affected the increase.
London bombings affect air traffic
BAA has reported a 2.6% increase in UK airport traffic figures in July, compared with last year, with its seven airports handling a record 14.6 million passengers last month. However, the airport operator said that the London bombings on July 7 had affected the increase.
18 March 2011
Edinburgh Airport Reopens
Following an evacuation, over the discovery of a suspicious package, Edinburgh airport has now reopened. After police sealed off the surrounding area, operator BAA had advised passengers not to travel to the terminal. However no flights had been cancelled. A BAA spokesman said flights had been continuing to land and take off from the airport.
Edinburgh Airport Reopens
Following an evacuation, over the discovery of a suspicious package, Edinburgh airport has now reopened. After police sealed off the surrounding area, operator BAA had advised passengers not to travel to the terminal. However no flights had been cancelled. A BAA spokesman said flights had been continuing to land and take off from the airport.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
