Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

BAA loses Stansted legal challenge

 

Cathy Gordon
Thursday 26 July 2012 09:12 EDT
Comments
Airport operator BAA lost its latest challenge today against a decision forcing it to sell Stansted Airport
Airport operator BAA lost its latest challenge today against a decision forcing it to sell Stansted Airport (Reuters)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Airport operator BAA lost its latest challenge today against a decision forcing it to sell Stansted Airport in Essex.

The appeal by the Spanish-owned company was rejected by three Court of Appeal judges in London.

In 2009 the Competition Commission (CC) ruled that BAA must sell Stansted in Essex and two of its other UK airports.

BAA has since mounted a series of unsuccessful legal challenges against the decision.

Earlier this year BAA lost an appeal before the Competition Appeal Tribunal.

In their ruling today Lord Justice Mummery, Lord Justice Rimer and Lord Justice Sullivan dismissed BAA's challenge against the decision of the appeal tribunal.

Since the CC decision, BAA has sold Gatwick Airport in West Sussex and, faced with having to dispose of either Edinburgh Airport or Glasgow Airport, it has opted to sell Edinburgh.

The Competition Commission (CC) said it welcomed the Court of Appeal's decision.

Laura Carstensen, chairman of the BAA Remedies Implementation Group, said: "We are pleased that our decision on Stansted Airport has once again been upheld.

"It remains the right decision in the interests of passengers and airlines and it is surely now time for BAA to accept the verdict and proceed with the sale."

BAA said in a statement: "We are disappointed that the Court of Appeal has ruled in favour of the Competition Commission.

"We will now consider its judgment carefully and we intend to submit an appeal to the Supreme Court."

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in