EasyJet says new airport ownership will not help

LONDON (Reuters) - Low cost carrier easyJet said on Wednesday a change of ownership at airports would not help passengers or improve efficiency, and instead called for better regulation.

"Airports are individual monopolies. Selling a monopoly to a new owner will not help protect the consumer or improve efficiency. Airports need better regulation," Chief Executive Andy Harrison told Reuters in a telephone interview.

He said he backed the break-up of BAA, which has been instructed to sell three of its seven airports, but added it was less important than an overhaul of the regulatory system.

"A break-up of BAA is a step forward, but it is the bronze medal at the consumer protection Olympics. A gold medal would be a better, more effective regulator," he added.

The Competition Commission said earlier on Wednesday that BAA, owned by Spain's Ferrovial, should sell two of its three London airports and one of either Edinburgh or Glasgow.

It also criticised the regulatory regime under the Civil Aviation Authority CAA), which will also come under review.

(Reporting by John Bowker; editing by Rory Channing)