Gatwick Airport could see second runway

A second runway could be built at Gatwick Airport following further speculation that BAA's ownership of airports will be broken up, it has been reported.

This week, the Competition Commission will rule on whether BAA's ownership of Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport and Stansted Airport should be broken up as recommended by the Office of Fair Trading.

Any new owner of Gatwick Airport would be able to push for a new runway as BAA's agreement with West Sussex County Council not to build a second runway before 2019 if it was allowed to build the North Terminal will no longer be valid.

Manchester Airport Group would be one of the favourites to buy Gatwick Airport and make it competitive against other London airports, according to reports.

BAA chairman Sir Nigel Rudd told the BBC that he expects the Competition Commission to rule against the airport operator.

Last week, Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary denied rumours that he would bid for Stansted Airport in the wake of a potential break up.