The Competition Commission (CC) has found "competition problems" at each of BAAs seven UK airports
 
If the findings are upheld, the CC will order BAA to sell two of its three London airports, and also either Edinburgh or Glasgow airport.

The commission will reach its final decision following a consultation period, and will it public early next year.

Christopher Clarke, chairman of the commission's BAA Airports inquiry group, said: "While we accept that constraints on runway capacity in the South-East will limit the scope for the benefits of competition in the short-term, we believe separate owners would be more active than BAA in exploiting existing opportunities.

"Over time, we would expect these to increase significantly.

"In Scotland, where there are no similar capacity constraints, we believe separate owners of Edinburgh and Glasgow would similarly improve their offerings."