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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| BAA will sell Edinburgh Airport | |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Edinburgh Airport is to be sold by operator BAA after it was told by competition regulators to let go of one of its Scottish hubs. | |
| BAA is now beginning preparations for a sale and expects to formally approach the market in the New Year with a view to agreeing a sale by Summer 2012. | BAA is now beginning preparations for a sale and expects to formally approach the market in the New Year with a view to agreeing a sale by Summer 2012. |
| BAA chief executive, Colin Matthews, said they would be "very sorry to see it leave BAA". | BAA chief executive, Colin Matthews, said they would be "very sorry to see it leave BAA". |
| BAA will keep Aberdeen Airport and Glasgow Airport. | BAA will keep Aberdeen Airport and Glasgow Airport. |
| It has also been told to sell London Stansted Airport. | It has also been told to sell London Stansted Airport. |
| BAA had been told by competition regulators to sell either its airport in Glasgow or Edinburgh. | |
| Healthy position | |
| Mr Matthews said: "Edinburgh is a great airport with a great team and a great future and we will be very sorry to see it leave BAA. | Mr Matthews said: "Edinburgh is a great airport with a great team and a great future and we will be very sorry to see it leave BAA. |
| "We remain committed to Scotland and we will continue our long-term investment to improve passenger and airline experience at Aberdeen and Glasgow, as well as at Edinburgh until the sale is complete. | "We remain committed to Scotland and we will continue our long-term investment to improve passenger and airline experience at Aberdeen and Glasgow, as well as at Edinburgh until the sale is complete. |
| "Choosing which airport to sell has been a difficult decision. | "Choosing which airport to sell has been a difficult decision. |
| "Edinburgh Airport has shown itself to be a strong and resilient asset throughout the economic downturn. | "Edinburgh Airport has shown itself to be a strong and resilient asset throughout the economic downturn. |
| "Passenger numbers at Edinburgh have grown by more than 6% over the past year and in an uncertain market we expect it to be an attractive asset to prospective buyers. | "Passenger numbers at Edinburgh have grown by more than 6% over the past year and in an uncertain market we expect it to be an attractive asset to prospective buyers. |
| "Glasgow Airport has great opportunities for future growth and development and we think BAA is well-placed to build on its recent success. Both airports are of national importance and have a bright future." | "Glasgow Airport has great opportunities for future growth and development and we think BAA is well-placed to build on its recent success. Both airports are of national importance and have a bright future." |
| Jim O'Sullivan, managing director of Edinburgh Airport, said: "Today's announcement brings the clarification that many had been calling for and although we will be sorry to leave BAA, we do so in the knowledge we're in an extremely strong and healthy position. | |
| "Not only has Edinburgh Airport benefited from considerable investment in recent years but we have an excellent team in place which has been the driving force behind our success to date. | |
| "We will now begin preparing for the sale process, but irrespective of who may own it, the team at Edinburgh Airport will undoubtedly continue to deliver for its passengers, the city and Scotland as a whole." |