Virgin Atlantic and EasyJet Partner Up for Gatwick Airport Bid

The British Airports Authority, an airports operator, has placed Gatwick Airport for sale in order to arrogate a Competition Commission break-up order, which is anticipated to rule that the operator’s control over airports in London is bad for passengers and monopolistic.

Virgin Atlantic and EasyJet are coming together in a joint bid of £2.5 billion for Gatwick Airport. The two carriers are having discussions with financial backers for forming a consortium, and they have pledged to base a major number of planes at the airport to ensure future income.

A Virgin Atlantic spokesman didn’t deny the report, however, said that no for sure plans were made yet. He said that they have always held an interest in bringing a consortium together in order to purchase the airport, and they are talking to many parties right now. Virgin Atlantic and EasyJet will not make a financial contribution to Gatwick Airport, but instead guarantee that the airport sees revenue for the long-term.

The two airlines are also currently working together with 5 other carriers as National Air Traffic Control Service part-owners. It has been understood that all or some of the other 5, which include Thompsonfly, bmi, Monarch Airlines, MyTravel Airways, and British Airways, may also have an involvement in a consortium.

The sale of the Gatwick Airport is being handled by HSBC and the Royal Bank of Scotland, and they are anticipated to start the auction before the year ends. The companies that have an interest in putting a bid on the airport, which is the second biggest in the United Kingdom, have already began forming consortiums. There have also been many potential bidders to pull out of the bid due to the economic downturn or inability to obtain funding.

Learn more about these airlines at: www.virgin-atlantic.com -or- www.easyjet.com