The UK airports market was on Tuesday plunged into a period of unprecedented upheaval after the anti-trust watchdog attacked the dominant role of BAA, the world’s leading airports group.

The Competition Commission’s broadside against the company – a subsidiary of Spain’s Ferrovial – could pave the way for a break-up of the group’s monopoly of the main airports in London and Scotland. Its findings also increase the likelihood BAA will choose to put some of its airports up for sale before its hand can be forced.