BAA reduces losses and pushes for a third runway at Heathrow

Passenger numbers at Heathrow are running at record levels, 69.4m for 2011(+5%) and further growth limited to aircraft size increases and more efficient use of runway capacity.  Colin Matthews, BAA Chief Executive, has urged Ministers to consider every possibility with its imminent strategic review. 

“I cannot think of any reason why you would not look at all of the options, given every single option has significant difficulties.  None of them are easy.”

BAA last week reported a reduced loss from £316.6m in 2010 to £255.8m for 2011 as it claimed progress with its efforts to persuade the Government to reconsider the case for a third runway at Heathrow, the land involved for the most part still owned by the company.

Under consideration is yet another appeal regarding the sale of Stansted Airport which lost 2.8% of its business last year.  With passenger figures down to 18m there is the prospect of further haemorrhaging as some business transfers to easyJet’s new Southend operation.  Presently about 80% of Stansted passengers are Ryanair customers.

At Heathrow the new Terminal 2 is watertight and work is progressing fast with the fitting out.  However until the bmi/BA situation is resolved there can be no definitive relocation of any airline. www.baa.com

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