BAA has dismissed speculation ministers may force the group to sell Gatwick Airport.
The government is currently reviewing competition in the airport industry. A parliamentary committee last year called for the breakup of BAA after MPs found there was no public benefit from BAA owning three London airports – Gatwick, Heathrow and Stansted. BAA is investing heavily in Gatwick, the expansion of which is seen as essential to take some of the pressure off Heathrow.
In a separate development BAA is expected to be shortlisted to buy a controlling stake in Rome Airport.
Financial Times 20/09/99 page 8
The Daily Telegraph 20/09/99 page 24 (City Checklist)
The Guardian 20/09/99 page 24 (Monday briefing)
