Flybe welcomes CAA call for BAA break up

Flybe has welcomed the repeated call for the break-up of airport operator BAA following the ‘strong support’ for the move highlighted in the Civil Aviation Authority‘s response to the Competition Commission’s provisional findings.

Mike Rutter, Flybe’s Chief Commercial Officer comments: “We are totally supportive of the CAA’s response. We have been saying for years that the BAA monopoly of airports in South East England and the Scottish lowlands is bad for the consumer.

“It is good news that the CAA has now added its weight behind the provisional findings of the Competition Commission. Rather than wait for the inevitable forced sell-off, we are again calling for Ferrovial to read the writing on the wall and start to divest itself of at least three airports in order to improve customer focus, allow for investment and bring real competition to aviation in the UK.”

Rutter continues: “Over the last year, Flybe has flown more than 75,000 flights from BAA/Ferrovial owned airports, so we are in a very good position to be able to comment on their lack of performance. Disposing of London Gatwick alone is not enough and we now look forward to the sale of Southampton and Glasgow.”