Competition Commission clears way for MAG

MANCHESTER Airport Group has today underlined its interest in buying Glasgow or Edinburgh airports, as well as Gatwick, following the Competition Commission’s decision that BAA must sell one of the Scottish airports.

MAG responded enthusiastically to the announcement that BAA must sell either Edinburgh or Glasgow as well as Gatwick and Stansted, within the next two years.

MAG has already made a bid for Gatwick Airport with backing from Canadian pension fund Borealis, along with two other consortia.

But, regardless of whether that bid fails, it has indicated its interest in either Glasgow or Edinburgh airports, now it knows one of them will have to go up for sale.

“MAG has been a supporter of increased competition and we welcome this report,” a spokesperson for Manchester Airport Group said.

“We have always said that MAG is interested in acquiring assets that will add value for our shareholders and that this could include one or more of the BAA airports.

“Today’s report by the Competition Commission will inject much needed competition into the UK airports market. Ultimately air passengers and airlines will benefit from a greater choice of airport operators which will have to compete on price and service for their business.”