The British airport company BAA faces having to sell two of its three airports in London, following a recommendation of the British Competition Commission on Wednesday, dpa reported.
The commission, which monitors competition standards, said in a preliminary report due to be confirmed in April, that the airport operator should sell two of either Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted airports.
The watchdog also recommended that the BAA give up one of its two Scottish airports, Edinburgh or Glasgow.
The final decision over the future of the airports would be taken in April, said commission said which had found that the single BAA ownership of Britain's leading airports was having "adverse consequences" on air traffic for passengers and airlines.
BAA, which has come under pressure in recent years over delays and service standards.
BAA chief Colin Matthews said Wednesday he accepted the report's findings on "poor service" and "frustration" for passengers, but said the company would not sell Heathrow, the British Broadcasting Corporation reported.