Flybe welcomes sale of London Gatwick

Flybe has stated that it welcomes the announcement by Ferrovial that they intend to sell London Gatwick airport. Flybe, as the third largest slot-holder at the airport, has long called for the break-up of BAA’s near monopoly of UK airport ownership and looks forward to an early sale that will unquestionably benefit both passengers and airlines.

Commenting on the announcement, Mike Rutter, Flybe’s Chief Commercial Officer said:

“We have been saying for years that the BAA monopoly of airports in South East England is bad for everyone, not the least of which the travelling public. We welcome the fact that, at last, Ferrovial has come to the same conclusion and have decided to sell London Gatwick.”

He continued:

“It is crucial that all the relevant regulatory bodies ensure that any new owner does not saddle itself with unsustainable debt in order to buy Gatwick. A sale should increase competition and bring about service improvements, not simply continue with ‘more of the same’ for long-suffering passengers and airlines alike. We look forward to Ferrovial making similar announcements to sell one of their two Scottish lowlands airports (Glasgow or Edinburgh) and also Southampton in order to bring further benefits to the travelling public and the UK’s hard-pressed regional economies”.