Press Release

Regardless of competition, passengers still left at the back of the queue

Wednesday, August 20 2008

The Competition Commission has today published its provisional findings of its investigation into the market for the supply of airport services by BAA.

Responding to the Commission’s report, Baroness Jo Valentine, Chief Executive of London First, said: "The Competition Commission's provisional findings today highlight one point loud and clear: passengers are being left at the back of a very long queue when it comes to interests served.

"Whatever options the Commission finally proposes, Heathrow will still be subject to the same out-dated regulation that has failed the passenger first time round. Introducing greater competition through selling off Gatwick or Stansted won't necessarily solve that conundrum - Heathrow will still be running to stand still, with too much demand for the airport to satisfy, and operating at 99% capacity.

"Heathrow regulation needs a complete overhaul. Then and only then will better customer service mean putting the passenger interest first."