Flybe welcomes findings on BAA breakup

Flybe has welcomed the provisional findings contained in the Competition Commission’s preliminary report on the suggested break-up of BAAs near monopoly of UK airport ownership.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Jim French, says that the successful story of the UK aviation industry is acknowledged worldwide but that the need for competition across all sectors is now one that is clearly the overriding factor impacting further future development.

“As a market leader, Flybe is one of the greatest supporters of competition as it drives innovation as well as improvement to the services offered to the flying public. We have been saying for years that the BAA monopoly of airports in South East England and the Scottish lowlands in particular is bad for everyone not the least of which the travelling public. We welcome the fact that, at last, the Competition Commission has come to the same conclusion and we can now move forward.”

“BAA has undoubtedly played a valuable industry role through its evolution from public to private ownership, but times change and the time is now ripe for change. It is hopefully a change that – empowering and encouraging healthy competition – will only prove a win-win for everyone.”