The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has referred airport operator BAA to the Competition Commission for further investigation.
Several airlines and other companies had complained that BAA has a “stranglehold” on the British airport market which amounts to a monopoly. The group operates Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports in London, as well as Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen in Scotland.
The OFT received more than 60 responses from various parties regarding possible investigation, most of which supported referral.
In a statement, the regulatory body said: “The OFT is of the view that the competition concerns it identified prior to the consultation exercise remain valid and that an investigation by the Competition Commission is now warranted.”
BAA responded by saying that the main problem for passengers was the lack of capacity at airports, and that it was putting plans into action that would transform air travel in the UK.
Chief executive Stephen Nelson pointed to the opening of Terminal 5 at Heathrow and a possible new runway and terminal at Stansted.
To achieve its goals, a “strong and united BAA” is needed, he said.
