STANSTED Airport’s owners have vowed to fight against being forced to sell the terminal.

The Competition Commission ruled on Tuesday that BAA must sell the airport for passengers and airlines to benefit from greater competition.

It follows a two-year wrangle after the commission originally ruled Stansted must be sold - a decision the company then challenged.

BAA chief executive Colin Matthews said: “We are dismayed that the Competition Commission’s final decision still requires BAA to sell Stansted and either Glasgow or Edinburgh airport.

“The Competition Commission has not recognised that the world and BAA have changed.

“This decision would damage our company which is investing strongly in UK jobs and growth.

“We will now consider a judicial review of the Competition Commission’s decision.”

The commission ruled in March 2009 that BAA must sell Gatwick, Stansted and either Edinburgh or Glasgow.

Despite a series of legal challenges by BAA, the commission’s findings were upheld.

Brian Ross, economics advisor for campaign group Stop Stansted Expansion, said: “The uncertainty has gone on far too long and BAA should now respect the ruling of the Competition Commission and the courts and sell Stansted as quickly as possible.

“BAA’s statement today in response to the Competition Commission ruling suggests it is considering a fresh challenge in the hope of buying yet more time so that Stansted is sold under better market conditions.

“Such procrastination would only worsen relations between the airport and the community which it has already done so much to destroy.”

Spanish-owned BAA believes a change in Government policy ruling out new runways in south east England has significantly changed the airport market.

The company says Stansted faces increased competition from non-BAA airports, particularly those in Europe, and it serves a different market to its other London airport, Heathrow.