Competition Commission is heading to the Court of Appeal over a ruling in favour of airport operator last year

An attempt by airports operator BAA to derail its forced sell-off of UK airports could be in doubt after an appeal was lodged today by the Competition Commission.

In March last year the CC said BAA had to sell Gatwick, Stansted and either Edinburgh or Glasgow airports because of a lack of competition in the UK.

The Competition Appeals Tribunal then ruled in December the operator could appeal the decision because of “apparent bias” in the CC team making the decision.

However the CC today said it had referred that decision to the Court of Appeal.

We will seek to have any appeal heard as soon as possible in view of the importance of this case

Competition Commission

It said: “We have decided to appeal against the CAT’s judgment on the grounds that the CAT was wrong to conclude that there was a connection between Professor Moizer and Manchester Airports Group giving rise to apparent bias.

"We will seek to have any appeal heard as soon as possible in view of the importance of this case."

The decision could have repercussions on BAA’s annual £1.25m construction spend. It has already sold Gatwick.

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