Branson eyes bid for £2bn Gatwick

Published on Tuesday 2 September 2008 21:27

VIRGIN Atlantic, Sir Richard Branson's airline, yesterday confirmed its interest in bidding for Gatwick airport as part of a consortium.

The group has reportedly held talks with several possible partners in relation to Gatwick, which could be sold after the Competition Commission told owner BAA it may have to offload three of its UK airports. It has been suggested that Gatwick, the UK's second-largest airport, could fetch more than 2 billion at auction.

The Competition Commission proposed in a preliminary report that BAA divest itself of two of its three London airports. The competition watchdog made it clear that it was unlikely to require Heathrow to be sold, which could leave Gatwick and Stansted on the sale block.

It also recommended Spanish-owned BAA lose control of either Edinburgh or Glasgow airport, but a final report is not due until the end of the year.

Virgin is part of the public-private partnership that runs the National Air Traffic Services.