Ryanair Calls Again for Sale of London’s Stansted Airport

Stansted Airport

Ryanair has again called for the immediate sale of London Stansted Airport, as recommended by the Competition Commission, after the BAA monopoly confirmed that traffic at Stansted continues to decline, with June’s figures down 3% on June 2011, resulting in a loss of 600,000 passengers in the first 6 months of 2012. While Stansted traffic declines, Heathrow and Gatwick’s traffic has grown which proves that the BAA monopoly is damaging Stansted and harming consumers.

The Competition Commission recommended the sale of Stansted in 2008, noting the BAA’s monopoly of London’s big 3 airports ‘adversely affected competition’, which the BAA has since made seven appeals against, proving yet again its disregard for passengers, competition or tourism as it attempts to retain its stranglehold over London traffic.

Ryanair’s Stephen McNamara said:

“The BAA’s traffic figures show continued declines at Stansted due to its high costs and airport mismanagement. These declining passenger numbers provide further evidence of the urgent need to expedite the BAA’s sale of Stansted airport, as first recommended by the UK Competition Commission back in 2008, over 4 years ago, which the BAA have subsequently made seven appeals against. The sale of Stansted into separate ownership will lead to more competition, lower passenger charges, improved passenger services and the roll out of additional and much needed traffic growth at competitive prices in Stansted.”

Ryanair