Edinburgh airport for sale

The decision by BAA to sell Edinburgh Airport instead of Glasgow might seem surprising to some. After all, Edinburgh has more passengers, is based in Scotland’s capital and had money invested last year to spruce up the departure lounges.
BAA must think then that either Glasgow has more long-term potential for the group or that Edinburgh will attract a higher price.
For us, the travelling public, though it is to be hoped that a new buyer will result in the sort of competition that has sprung up between Heathrow and Gatwick. now that Gatwick is not owned by BAA. It is still early days at Gatwick but it is to be hoped that some more transatlantic flights might be attracted back to Gatwick. Equally Edinburgh could do with some transatlantic flights as Glasgow has done better at persuading airlines to base themselves there. Maybe the new owner could even be persuaded to link into the rail system behind the airport so that passengers did not have to go into Haymarket to continue their journeys.
That leaves Stansted to be sold. It seems BAA is still trying to hold on to this airport but one wonders how longer their persistence can last. And the patience of the regulators.

image courtesy of BAA