Stansted Parking Dispute Goes Public

A BAA airport car parking customer was left feeling disgruntled after coming back from holiday to find his car scratched after leaving it in the official valet car park at Stansted airport. This was made worse by BAA’s view on the matter that they were not liable for the damage.

The incident occurred in September 2010 after the customer had exchanged numerous letters with BAA he wrote to the Guardian who raised the subject with BAA only to be told the same thing, on reading the terms and conditions it is clear that the airport operator is only liable for damage caused by their drivers.

But as this damage was caused whilst the car was parked up they avoid any responsibility, which the customer was not happy about. After the Guardian published the whole debacle BAA offered to renew contact with the customer to see if they could come to some kind of agreement and the Guardian warned other travellers that the official airport car parks don’t necessarily mean total security.

Stansted Must Go!!!!!

BAA have been told they must still sell Stansted airport along with either Glasgow or Edinburgh airport as the competition commission stood by its ruling to force BAA to sell another 2 airports. BAA was forced to sell Gatwick airport in 2009 after the commission ruled they had too much of a monopoly over the UK airports.

Further sales were challenged by BAA but they have failed and now must prepare to sell another 2 airports. Analysts say it might not be the worst scenario for BAA as it will ease their £12bn debt, however the airport owner is still reluctant to sell.

The commission says the break-up of ownership can only help airlines and passengers with greater competition around and price wars between the airports.

BAA Mortgage Houses

BAA has been forced to mortgage 39 of its houses near Stansted airport, with many of them due to be demolished to make way for the proposed second runway at Stansted airport. With the houses being offered as security against the £10.5bn already borrowed. The latest figures to come out of Stansted airport show it down £54m in operating profits at £27m.

A spokesman from the Stop Stansted Airport Expansion Campaign Group stated it was ironic that BAA were mortgaging the very houses that were bought as part of the runway plan and that it was proof of that the second runway could not be afforded.

Locals claim that the proposed £3bn runway would affect 11,000 houses and that a public enquiry has constantly been put back. BAA officials deny they are under financial strain and insist the mortgaged houses are simply to supply the bank with some security