Our industry

Travel and tourism are the great success stories of the 20th Century. 

Just 50 years ago only the very wealthy had the opportunity to fly. Then came the flying boom of the 70s and 80s and the introduction and expansion of the low-cost airline phenomena. From BAA's creation back in the 60s, through to our floatation on the stock exchange in 1987, and most recently our sale to Ferrovial in 2006, we have continued to provide first-class airports for Britain and other countries around the world.

Aviation is an incredibly dynamic industry and although growth is still forecast at about 5% until 2020, we are entering a new era where growth has to be more environmentally responsible. The aviation industry's impact on the environment is under increasing scrutiny, and BAA is at the forefront of the sustainable aviation debate. We are taking tangible steps to reduce our impact on the environment and the communities living around out airports. We are a member of Flying Matters, a group representing a diverse section of the aviation industry wanting to support sustainable growth in the industry.

Take a look through this part of our site to find out more about our industry.