IATA welcomes UK Competition Commission's interim report on BAA Airports

Geneva: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has welcomed the UK Competition Commission's interim report on the BAA Airports market investigation. It said that the Competition Commission had noted that the ownership of seven UK airports is not in the best interests of passengers and that the system of economic regulation applied by the CAA may adversely affect competition.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the UK's specialist aviation regulator.

"The Competition Commission has come to the same conclusion that every passenger using the UK's main airports knows all too well: there is a problem with the UK airports that must be fixed urgently," said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA Director General and CEO.

"London, where BAA owns the three major airports, is the most critical area. It is perverse that BAA's profits rise as service levels fall. Breaking up BAA to introduce some competition is a step in the direction of a solution," said Bisignani.

IATA also highlighted the need to review the current system of economic regulation. "Allowing an 86% increase in Heathrow charges over the next five years - on top of a 50% increase over the last five years - is a very bad joke. Only an out-of-control monopoly could plan their business in such terms. In short, the CAA's system of economic regulation is not fit for purpose," said Bisignani.

"The problem is serious and half-measures won't help. We need a complete overhaul of the CAA economic regulation to focus it on delivering excellent infrastructure for passengers - not excessive profits for the BAA," added Bisignani.