Airline backs inquiry into airport owner
AN inquiry into the UK’s airports market which could look closely at Edinburgh Airport operator BAA has been welcomed by no-frills airline easyJet.
The Office of Fair Trading is to consider an inquiry into the airports market with a view to establishing whether the current structure works well for consumers.
BAA owns and operates airports which handled 63 per cent of UK air passengers in 2005. Its last reported annual profits were £660 million.
OFT chief executive John Fingleton said: “We have decided to look more closely at how the airport markets work with the aim of establishing whether the current market structure delivers best value for air travellers.”
EasyJet, which runs flights from the Capital to a range of UK and European destinations, is concerned the company has an unfair advantage which is not benefiting customers.
Andrew Barker, easyJet planning director, said: “We are very pleased that the OFT is taking a close look at whether the UK airports market works well for consumers.
“We have been asking for this review for a long time and look forward to providing overwhelming evidence that BAA is not acting in anything like the interests of the travelling public.”
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