Airport operator BAA has decided to quit its battle to keep hold of Stansted.
It has finally thrown in the towel and accepted defeat in its three-year legal fight against a Competition Commission ruling that it must sell the airport, along with Gatwick and either Glasgow or Edinburgh.
In a statement, BAA said: "Having carefully considered the Court of Appeal’s ruling, BAA has decided not to appeal to the Supreme Court and is now proceeding with the sale of Stansted Airport."
But it added: "We still believe the Competition Commission ruling fails to recognise that Stansted and Heathrow serve different markets."
Ryanair welcomed the decision and called for an early sale.
by Bev Fearis
