FOR sale signs have been taken down at Glasgow Airport after it was announced today that owner BAA is to invite bids for Edinburgh Airport.

The announcement came after the Competition Commission had previously ruled BAA had to sell London Gatwick and Stansted and one of the two Scottish airports.

Transport specialists had predicted Glasgow would be sacrificed by BAA, but the airport operator sprung a surprise today by announcing Edinburgh would be put up for sale in the New Year in an attempt to secure a buyer by next summer.

The decision was immediately welcomed by Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport.

She said: "It marks the end of what has been a prolonged period of uncertainty.

"Now a final decision has been reached we can concentrate our efforts on ensuring Glasgow Airport, as part of BAA, continues to deliver for its passengers, the city and Scotland as a whole."

The airport employs 420 staff and is a base for 30 airlines, which fly to 90 global destinations.

Today's decision was also welcomed by workers. "This is a great day for Glasgow Airport," said a 37-year-old baggage handler. "Everyone had predicted we would be sold off. What a relief that's not true."

Politicians were also delighted by the news.

Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "We are very pleased this long-running issue has finally been resolved. The decision is a clear vote of confidence in the airport and recognises its tremendous potential for growth."

Derek Mackay SNP MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, which includes Glasgow Airport, said it was good news for Glasgow and west Scotland.

He said: "This confirms BAA will continue with its growth plan for Glasgow Airport. It gives us a certainty the owner will invest as it said it would."

The move comes at a time when the airport has enjoyed a growth in passenger numbers.

For the first time since 2005 numbers have increased each month this year. The October school half term has also been the busiest on record, with the airport dealing with 240,000 passengers.

The sell-off decision was forced on BAA by the Competition Commission as part of a controversial blueprint to shrink BAA and open up the market place.

The Commission said sell-offs would lead to cheaper landing charges for airlines and better deals for travellers.

But the Commission and BAA have been at the centre of a legal battle.

BAA was forced to sell London Gatwick but, until recently, had fought tooth and nail to prevent the enforced sales of London Stansted and Glasgow or Edinburgh.

However, this month BAA revealed it had done a deal with the watchdog. The operator agreed to sell one of its Scottish hubs first if it was allowed to hold on to Stansted until after the London Olympics next year.

The proposal was accepted by the Commission, even though BAA plans to legally challenge any proposed sale of Stansted.

A Commission spokesman said of today's sell-off decision: "This is really good news for all parties concerned because everyone now knows what is happening. We are pleased with BAA's quick decision."

London Gatwick was sold for more than £1billion and there is speculation a similar price could be obtained by BAA for Edinburgh.

Edinburgh handles more than nine million passengers every year, where 40 airlines connect to 120 worldwide destinations.

BAA say it is the fifth largest airport in the UK and has seen passenger growth of 6.1% during the past year. It's also a busy cargo hub and last year handled 10,200 tonnes of goods.

Colin Matthews, BAA chief executive, said: "Edinburgh is a great airport with a great team and a great future and we will be very sorry to see it leave BAA.

"We remain committed to Scotland and will continue our long-term investment to improve passenger and airline experience at Aberdeen and Glasgow, as well as at Edinburgh until the sale is complete.

"Choosing which airport to sell has been a difficult decision.

"Edinburgh Airport has shown itself to be a strong and resilient asset throughout the economic downturn.

"Passenger numbers at Edinburgh have grown more than 6% over the past year and in an uncertain market we expect it to be an attractive asset to prospective buyers.

"Glasgow Airport has great opportunities for growth and development and we think BAA is well-placed to build on its recent success."

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