bmi has welcomed the Competition Commission’s ‘emerging thinking’ report into BAA’s ownership of seven of the UK major airports.

Nigel Turner, bmi chief executive officer, said: “We welcome the findings of the commission’s report and look forward to remedial action being taken at the earliest opportunity.

“We identified last year that BAA’s high market share for air passengers appears to prevent, restrict or distort airport competition within the UK and strongly believe that to ensure future real intra-airport competition in the UK, the only option facing the regulators is the dismantling of BAA’s monopolistic grip over the UK’s busiest airports in the South-East (Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted) and in Scotland (Edinburgh and Glasgow). Only with separate airport ownership can the UK guarantee a healthy and competitive aviation industry to serve the wider consumer interest.”