COUNCIL CHIEF BACK THE MANCHESTER AIRPORT DECISION TO BUY GATWICK: MF AIRPORT PARKING

Bolton Council leader Cliff Morris has welcomed the possibility that the Manchester Airports Group could buy Gatwick Airport .

MAG, which is privately owned by the 10 Greater Manchester local authorities including Bolton, and operates Manchester, East Midlands, Bournemouth and Humberside Airports, is the second-largest UK-based airport operator. According to a report by the BBC yesterday, it could be interested in buying Gatwick Airport, should BAA be forced to sell the hub.

Gatwick Airport is owned by BAA, but the Competition Commission has said it is concerned that the Spanish-owned company also owns London's other two biggest airports, Heathrow and Stansted, and in August may decide to force them to sell one of them. Gatwick is seen as the most likely airport to be offloaded, with a possible price tag of £2 - £3 billion.

MAG's chief executive Geoff Muirhead told the BBC that he would consider buying if BAA did put the airport on the market. He said: ‘We would be interested in any assets that come up, on the premise that we feel we could improve the performance of the group on the back of it, at a price that was sensible.'

Councillor Morris, who is Bolton's representative on the MAG shareholders' committee, said owning Gatwick and improving the area's links with the South could be good news for the region. He said: ‘We have to look at all the options and if Gatwick becomes part of the group it could be very good for Manchester.'

To book Manchester Airport Parking from MF Airport Parking please click on the link below:

Manchester Airport Parking

MOVEMENT ON THE PLANS TO PURCHASE AN AIRPORT: MF AIRPORT PARKING
Looks like MAG have decided to show their hand with regards to the impending sell off of BAA and have announced they would be interested in purchasing Gatwick should it become available. Read on for the details.

"Manchester Airports Group (MAG) said it would be interested in buying Gatwick Airport should BAA be forced by the Competition Commission to sell it, the BBC reports, citing the company's chief executive.

MAG currently owns Manchester, East Midlands, Bournemouth and Humberside airports, and is the largest airport operator in the country after BAA. It is currently considering selling Humberside Airport, although this is unlikely to raise much cash.

Geoff Muirhead, chief executive of MAG, told the BBC: 'We'd be interested in any assets that come up, on the premise that we feel we could improve the performance of the group on the back of it, at a price that was sensible.'

The Competition Commission (CC) last month said that BAA, which owns seven United Kingdom airports, 'may not be serving well the interests of either airlines or passengers'. No conclusions have been reached, but the CC confirmed its final findings in August could require 'the sale of one or more of BAA's airports'.

The BBC said Gatwick is seen as the most likely candidate for sale in the South East, with industry experts estimating the London airport could fetch £2bn - £3bn. The CC also criticised BAA's ownership of Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports, with reports also suggesting that it could be forced to sell Glasgow Airport, with rumours that this would be MAG's target. Price wise, at around £700m, it would seem more realistic.

MAG is privately owned by ten borough councils. How they would justify the investment and risk of taking on the purchase of Gatwick, we are not sure. One councillor already suggested that they should sell up. They could justify controlling the regions airport – it helps the councils encourage growth in the area, and it can take a longer term view, focusing on wider benefits rather than short term profits – but could you justify owning a large London airport? Especially if things go wrong."

For Manchester Airport Parking click on the link below:

Manchester Airport Parking

BAA TO LET AIRPORT GO TO THE MANCHESTER AIRPORT GROUP?? : MFA IRPORT PARKING

It looks like BAA are going to be offloading the likes of Gatwick and Stansted airport after all and MAG (Manchester Airport Group) are sitting pretty ready to pounce and take over and make a bid.

This can only be good news for Manchester Airport in my opinion due to the expansion of the whole group and better resources or is it? Will it take valuable funds away from Manchester Airport if all goes through and hinder the development of the site?

As far as off site airport parking goes I think this will help all of the off site car parks as if money if floating aroung from the group at other airports surely their focus on their on site parking at Manchester Airport should drop off allowing the offsiters to get more traffic.

Lets wait and see what the outcome is but in my opinion all will go ahead and the Manchester Airport Group will get what they want in the end. They usually do.

For your Manchester Airport Parking click on the link below:

Manchester Airport Parking

MANCHESTER AIRPORT CALLS FOR BAA BREAK UP

Manchester Airport bosses have rival Gatwick 'firmly in their sights' as MPs and leading airlines call for the break-up of BAA, the Manchester Evening News reports. The UK's biggest airports operator is currently the subject of a review by the Competition Commission, which could rule that it should sell one of its London airports.

A powerful committee of MPs has called for BAA's monopoly of the capital's major gateways - it also owns Heathrow and Stansted - to be ended over the weekend. Yesterday, senior executives from easyJet, Ryanair, Virgin and bmi met transport secretary Ruth Kelly to also make this call.

Manchester Airports Group (MAG), the country's second largest airports operator behind BAA, already owns East Midlands, Bournemouth and Humberside Airports, 'but would dearly love to add a London gateway to its portfolio,' the newspaper reports.

It says that, although Gatwick or Stansted would cost billions, MAG chiefs are willing to form a partnership with private equity or other outfits, such as American investors or the Australian infrastructure and banking giant Macquarie, to achieve their goal.

Geoff Muirhead, chief executive of Manchester Airports Group, told the MEN: ‘We have a strong track record when it comes to running airports - we have a lot of skilled people who have developed very good relationships with airlines and other partners. The group is interested in acquiring assets that will add value for our shareholders.’

The newspaper speculates that 'BAA, which is owned by Ferrovial, could decide to press ahead with a break-up of its own accord before being ordered to do so by competition regulators, which would prevent a 'fire sale' of its assets. That could mean an announcement by the end of the year.'

With the Competition Commission not expected to report before the end of the year (and a final outcome perhaps two years away after appeals), BAA planning to use the London airports to back bonds refinancing its debt, and the growing credit crisis driving down the value of assets, we think this is unlikely.

In addition, MAG is owned by the 10 local authorities of Greater Manchester. We can see a value in the council's owning the airport, which has low debt levels and produces a good income stream for them. It might be difficult politically for the councils to back a highly leveraged - and therefore risky - airport purchase, even with a big partner in tow.

To book your Manchester Airport parking with MF Airport Parking please click on the link below:

Manchester Airport Parking