Any new owner of Gatwick will be flying into a storm of controversy over the building of a second runway.

Opponents of expansion welcomed yesterday’s report from the Competition Commission which will probably result in BAA being forced to sell three of its seven British airports, including Gatwick.

However, business leaders warned a sale may be “devastating” if it delays a new runway, which they believe is vital for the region’s future economic health.

Following the commission’s report, BAA is set to have to give up Gatwick and Stansted airports, and one of either Glasgow or Edinburgh.

It said “significant competition problems” arose from BAA’s ownership of the airports, which also include Heathrow. BAA was accused of a lack of responsiveness to the needs of its airline customers and passengers.

Due to make a final report on BAA ownership in the first part of next year, the commission will consult on proposed remedies over the next few months.

Brendon Sewill, chairman of the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign, welcomed the fact the commission had dropped the idea that the sale of Gatwick would be more likely to result in an additional runway. He said: “Our immediate concerns are less dramatic in that we are slightly worried that if three separate companies own London airports they may be inclined to compete by cutting environmental concerns and allowing noisier or more polluting aircraft to use their airport.”

Mark Froud, chief executive of Sussex Enterprise, said: “Gatwick is one of the main drivers of the economy in Sussex and if it is sold off there’s a real danger that current expansion plans will be seriously delayed.”

  • Jeremy Taylor, chief executive of Cadia, the Gatwick Diamond business association, will take questions in our Friday Inquisition feature. Visit www.theargus.co.uk and click on The Friday Inquisition. Questions will be answered from 12.30pm and 1.30pm.