BAA hits out at proposal to sell Gatwick

But operator BAA has said that the commission's analysis is flawed and its remedies would be disproportionate and counter-productive.

If the sale goes ahead, it would be likely to delay second runway proposals.

Campaigners against runway expansion at the airport raised eco fears over separate companies owning Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, and business organisation Sussex Enterprise has warned that any sale could delay expansion plans, to the detriment of local economy.

The report is likely to see BAA being forced to sell three of its seven British airports, including Gatwick.

The company seems almost certain to have to give up Gatwick and Stansted and either Glasgow or Edinburgh.

For full story see West Sussex Gazette August 27