Manchester Airport owner confirms Gatwick approach
18.08.08
The owner of Manchester Airport has confirmed that it is one of the parties to have approached BAA with an offer to buy Gatwick airport if the Competition Commission forces a sale this week, the Telegraph reports. Manchester Airport Group (MAG) has told BAA chairman Sir Nigel Rudd that it wants to buy the London airport, ahead of a report this week by the Commission, which is expected to force BAA to put Gatwick up for auction.
Geoff Muirhead, chief executive of MAG, which also owns East Midlands, Bournemouth and Humberside airports, told the newspaper: ‘The group is interested in acquiring assets that will add value for our shareholders. We have a strong track record when it comes to running airports - we have a lot of skilled people who have developed very good relationships with airlines and other partners.’
However, MAG, which is owned by 10 local authorities, is unlikely to have the resources to buy Gatwick - which could cost up to £3bn - on its own, and is likely to seek to join up with another interested investor. The Manchester Evening News suggests that MAG might instead be mulling a swoop north of the border on Glasgow Airport, which could also be put up for sale.
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