Gatwick welcomes BAA’s decision on the sale of Stansted

  • Gatwick calls on the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to now remove the unnecessary burden of economic regulation which has been in force for over 25 years

  • Healthy competition amongst airports is good news for passengers and airlines

  • Independent Gatwick gives a ‘foretaste of the benefits competition can bring’

2012-08-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — Gatwick welcomes BAA’s decision not to appeal to the Supreme Court and to sell Stansted Airport. This decision will increase competition in the airport market and improve customer service.

Gatwick calls on the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to allow a truly competitive market to flourish by deregulating the market. Through the Civil Aviation Bill, the CAA has a game changing opportunity to remove the 25 year old economic regulatory burden which was imposed when BAA had a monopoly.

The sale of Gatwick to Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) two and half years ago illustrates the benefits that can be delivered to passengers as a result of airports being under separate ownership. The sale of Stansted will bring greater competition between the London airports, which can only mean good news for passengers.

Stewart Wingate, Chief Executive of Gatwick Airport said:

“Today’s decision by BAA on the sale of Stansted is welcome news. Gatwick’s transformation over the last two and half years has clearly shown the real benefit of not being part of BAA. However, this is only half the story. The CAA now needs to remove the unnecessary burden of economic regulation imposed when BAA was a monopoly and which threatens to restrict full competition and investment which will benefit passengers and airlines.”

ENDS

For more information contact:

Gatwick Airport press office

t: + 44 (0) 1293 505000
e: gatwickmedia@gatwickairport.com

About Gatwick Airport

Gatwick Airport is the UK’s second largest airport and the busiest single-runway airport in the world. It serves more than 200 destinations in 90 countries for around 34 million passengers a year on short- and long-haul point-to-point services. It is also a major economic driver for the South-East region, generating around 23,000 on-airport jobs and a further 13,000 jobs through related activities. The airport is 28 miles south of London with excellent public transport links, including the Gatwick Express. Gatwick Airport is owned by a group of international investment funds, of which Global Infrastructure Partners is the largest shareholder.

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