| Kippreport.com

Forget Man City winning the league, turning Gatwick around would be a bigger challenge

September 2, 2008 11:30 by kippreport

Abu Dhabi may have hit the front and back pages with its purchase of Manchester City, but there may be a better British business deal out there for Gulf investors. Buying a Premier League club will be great for status and PR column inches (at least while the good times roll), but the sell-off of BAA’s assets represents a more solid financial bet.

Sir Richard Branson is the latest name to confirm an interest in London Gatwick, as the Spanish owners are forced to release UK assets. Dubai and Abu Dhabi have already been linked with the airport, the UK’s second busiest. Turning it round, winning consumer confidence and bettering nearby Heathrow will represent a more difficult – but more rewarding – challenge than beating Manchester United to the title.