Press Release
Stop BAA fire sale of Gatwick Airport
17 September 2008
Commenting on the news today that Gatwick Airport is to be put up for sale, Steve Turner, Unite national officer for aviation said: "It simply beggars belief that a For Sale sign can be hung across the country's second largest airport. Gatwick is a core component of the national infrastructure and an essential part of the UK's aviation sector, yet it is to be flogged off with little care for the wider social impact.
"This is devastating news to the many hundreds of professional, loyal and dedicated staff at Gatwick Airport and it will hit passengers too..
" At a time when the sector is being battered by the credit crunch, faces tough challenges in soaring fuel prices and new security measures, aviation needs stability, not the fire sale of a profitable, significant airport.
"BAA must reconsider this decision and have the confidence to argue the case with the competition authorities. And government cannot sit on the sidelines while our national airports are de stabilised.
"This is yet another failure of regulation but Unite will not stand by while workers pay the price with their jobs and passengers see services cut."
Unite is concerned that BAA is attempting to pre-empt the final report of the Competition Commission which is expected to seek the break up of the airport group. Unite argues that break up will lead to higher costs and diminished services as cross subsidies end and the dash for profits overrides the need for improved services to carriers and travellers alike.
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