Today, the Competition Commission unveils the provisional findings of its investigation into BAA’s position in the UK airports market. Whatever it says, we hope the resulting debate considers the wide strategic issues facing the industry and the country, not only BAA’s market share.

Airports inspire strong emotions and demands for improvement: airports have an impact on the environment; they are important to private lives and business. Technological advances have led to quieter aircraft and low-cost airlines have changed our industry. But, at the same time, the public policy framework has barely moved and difficult decisions have been avoided.