Manchester Airports Group is interested in buying Gatwick or Glasgow airports now that the Competition Commission has recommended that BAA’s airport monopoly is broken up.
Manchester Airports Group (MAG) is owned by the 10 local authorities in Greater Manchester and has been praised for its efficient running of Manchester airport. It could probably afford to buy Glasgow airport – valued at £500 to £700 million – on its own, but would most likely need to find a partner to bid for Gatwick, which could be worth about £3 billion.
Glasgow has recently been overtaken by Edinburgh as the most popular airport in Scotland but in spite of falling passenger numbers is still profitable. In 2007 it made a pre-tax profit of 18.6 million, making it an attractive acquisition target.
MAG is the largest UK-owned airport operator and besides Manchester owns three other UK airports – East Midlands, Bournemouth and Humberside. Whether a successful bid for Gatwick or Glasgow airports would make MAG a target for a Competition Commission enquiry remains to be seen.
While MAG considers its future you still have the opportunity to enjoy a stay at a Manchester airport hotel before or after your flight. The Britannia Ashley Hotel is a small, good value hotel located in the attractive village of Hale.
The hotel has its own restaurant serving breakfast and dinner. Holiday Extras has an exclusive breakfast offer at the Britannia Ashley with English breakfast for £5 per person, and children under 12 accompanied by an adult eating free. At dinner 2 adults ordering a 3 course meal will receive a free bottle of house wine.
Transfers to the airport from the Britannia Ashley run 24 hours a day, and for those on a parking package, parking is at Securapark, just 1.5 miles from Manchester airport.
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