It has just been announced that airports operator, BAA, has lost its appeal against a ruling that it must sell Stansted Airport. The 2009 ruling by the Competition Commission was upheld by three judges at the Court of Appeal in London today. As part of the original ruling, BAA was also ordered to sell Gatwick and Edinburgh airports, which it has done, however, BAA said it will battle to keep Stansted.

A BAA spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that the Court of Appeal has ruled in favour of the Competition Commission. We will now consider its judgement carefully and we intend to submit an appeal to the Supreme Court.”