Two of New York's finest might soon fall into British hands. BAA, the British airports operator, has beaten off strong competition from Europe and America in a contest to run the Big Apple's two main airports, JFK and LaGuardia.
New York's mayor, Rudolph Giuliani, confirmed yesterday that the city was negotiating with BAA over the terms of a contract for the long term management and operation of the two airports.
Under the contract BAA would assume control of the airports when the current lease with the port authority of New York expires in 2015, or earlier if the lease is terminated.
Mr Giuliani said: "New York ers and visitors to the city are not getting the kind of service they deserve.
"The port authority has proven itself unable or unwilling to maintain JFK and LaGuardia as first class airports."
New York was "very excited to be working with BAA" and he had every expectation that under new management the airports would thrive "in a manner that befits their status as gateways to the capital of the world".
BAA has beaten operators of Schiphol, Zurich and Hochtief airports to secure the bid.
The mayor's harsh words about his airports come after protracted criticism of their performance.
Both sides hope to secure an agreement as soon as possible. This could mean New York having to pay compensation to the port authority if it hands over its lease early.
A total of 56m passengers pass through the two airports each year, almost the same number as those using Heathrow.
BAA has been quietly investing in the international airports business for the past five years. It already runs several airports in the United States as well as Italy and Australia.
But this would be its most prestigious venture yet into the international airport business.
In the United States, it operates Indianapolis and Harrisburg airports, and is in charge of catering at Pittsburgh and Newark.
Its revenue receipts on its international business last year were £48m and it made a profit of £6m.
