AIRPORT operator BAA said today it could appeal against the decision to force the sale of either Edinburgh or Glasgow airport.
BAA Scotland spokesman Gordon Dewar said its board needed time to digest the findings of a Competition Commission report, which has ordered that one of the airports is disposed of.
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Scott Reid's business blog: The BAA break-up saga rumbles onThe company has taken no decision on which of the two airports would be sold.
And Mr Dewar, who is also managing director of Edinburgh Airport, added that there were a "number of routes of appeal" which he believed they would now consider.
He was speaking after the CC, which has been investigating BAA for two years, ruled that Gatwick and Stansted airports will have to be sold, followed by Edinburgh or Glasgow.
The watchdog has also said BAA must improve consultation with airlines at its third Scottish airport, Aberdeen.
In its report, the CC said it considered that "competitive constraints" on Glasgow would be significantly stronger if it was under separate ownership from Edinburgh.
Mr Dewar told BBC Radio Scotland they were "disappointed" with the report's findings.
He said: "We fundamentally disagree with the findings of the Competition Commission. I think we have demonstrated clear evidence that the two airports serve distinct and separate markets and that they will never compete, regardless of separate ownership.
"We sit here today still very proud of the record we have delivered in terms of route development, extending Scotland's reach to the rest of the world.
"We obviously feel it absolutely right and proper that if common ownership is deemed to be the problem then at least we have the choice in which one to sell."
Christopher Clarke, chairman of the Competition Commission , said it had reached its decision because there was "no competition" between Glasgow and Edinburgh.
"Edinburgh is regarded by passengers as the nearest substitute for Glasgow and Glasgow is regarded as the nearest substitute for Edinburgh," he told BBC Radio Scotland.
"The most appropriate way to deal with that competition problem is to put them under separate ownership."
He added that the sale of one of the airports would benefit passengers, leading to better investment and productivity.
The union Unite said the report "cast a shadow of uncertainty" over Scottish aviation workers.
National officer for civil aviation Brian Boyd said: "The option for BAA to sell off Glasgow or Edinburgh could mean job losses and attacks on terms and conditions of employment which Unite would wholeheartedly oppose.
"Any moves to improve the quality of service at Scottish airports must provide stability of employment for the workers involved.
"Unite would welcome a debate on the future of Scottish aviation as part of wider plans for improvements to the UK's air, rail, and road infrastructure as a whole."
Liz Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said priority must be given to the continued investment in all of Scotland's airports, irrespective of where ownership would ultimately lie.
She said: "BAA have invested heavily in their Scottish airports over the years, and their planned future spending was very welcome indeed.
"If a new owner takes over at either Glasgow or Edinburgh airport then it is vital that investment in both airport infrastructure and services and in related infrastructure is matched or exceeded."
Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce chief executive Ron Hewitt said he remained unconvinced by the Commission's review process, as Glasgow and Edinburgh airports served different markets.
"The fact of the matter remains that insisting BAA sell Glasgow or Edinburgh airport within two years shows scant regard to the present economic circumstances," he said.
