Watchdog may order BAA break-up

BAA's chairman Sir Nigel Rudd says a break up of the airport group would not be a "disaster" as it already has had "huge expressions of interest" from potential buyers for Gatwick and Stansted.

The Competition Commission is this week expected to order the break-up of Britain's dominant airport operator – in what will be the greatest shake-up of airport ownership since BAA was privatised two decades ago.

The joint ownership of Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted results in slow development of plans to expand those airports and in turn means overcrowding and regular delays, the commission is expected to say this week.