OFT to investigate value for money

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is considering if it should investigate the aviation industry and the deals consumers receive.

Concerns have arisen due to BAA's market share, as it handles 63 per cent share of all airline passengers that fly in or out of the country.

Commenting on the announcement, John Fingleton, the chief executive of the OFT, said: "Competition in the air transport is an extremely important part of the UK economy, with a significant impact on UK consumers and business alike."

He added that that the current investigation will help to establish whether the marketplace is delivering the "best value for air travellers".

BAA, which is currently embroiled in rumours of a takeover bid, owns a range of UK airports, including the London airports Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, as well as Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Southampton.

In response, BAA said that the OFT's announcement came as a "complete surprise".

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