, we will ultimately have proper competition between airports.'

'At the moment, there is very little incentive to get passengers to switch between Heathrow and Gatwick.

'There is ferocious competition between airlines, but very little between airports,' he added. 'It should bring huge improvements for passengers, at least this is what the airlines have been arguing,' Simon Calder, travel editor of the Independent, told the BBC. 'However, it is vital that the new owners strive to improve the service customers receive and also work with local communities to minimise the airport's environmental impact.'Ĭommentators said the deal could lead to better services at the airport. Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers said: 'We have long been calling for the break up of BAA's monopoly over so much airport capacity in the south east, so we welcome progress in taking that forward. The sale of Gatwick, which is subject to approval by the European Union, is due to be completed in December, BAA said. Michael McGhee, the GIP partner leading the acquisition, said the new owners would 'upgrade and modernise Gatwick Airport to transform the experience for both business and leisure passengers'. He added that BAA would now focus on improving Heathrow and its other airports. 'We wish Gatwick well for the future and are confident that the airport will flourish under new ownership.'

London city airport sale