Commentary Part 1 – Airports Chapter 2 – Competition Section 64: Review etc of airport operation services
185.This section contains provisions designed to ensure that the markets relevant to airport operation services are kept under review by the CAA, and that the CAA has appropriate mechanisms to provide advice and assistance to the OFT, the Secretary of State and the wider public.
186.Subsection (1) places a qualified duty on the CAA to keep the provision of airport operation services in the UK under review and also to collect information about such provision to facilitate the CAA in carrying out its concurrent competition functions set out in this Chapter.
187.Subsection (2) places a duty on the CAA to provide information, advice and assistance to the Secretary of State and the OFT about any matter relating to its concurrent competition functions if it is requested to do so or thinks it is expedient to do so. Subsection (3) states that the CAA must supply information, advice or assistance, when requested by the Secretary of State or the OFT, only where it appears practicable to the CAA to do so.
188.Subsection (4) provides a power for the CAA to prepare and publish reports relating to airport operation services, which is intended to enable the CAA to publish market studies where it considers it appropriate. Subsection (5) gives the CAA the discretion to exclude commercial information or information relating to private affairs from the published document in certain circumstances.
189.Subsection (6) enables the CAA to carry out, commission or provide financial or other support for research related to the carrying out of its functions under this section.