Privatization can provide a viable solution to global airport infrastructure gap
Privatization can provide a viable solution to global airport infrastructure gap
New ACI World policy brief provides guidance for governments and policy makers
Brussels, 19 June 2018 – Airports Council International (ACI) World has launched a new Policy Brief on airport privatization and funding at a time when critical investment decisions are being taken by airports around the world in response to growing demand for air services.
The Policy Brief, entitled Creating Fertile Grounds for Private Investment in Airports, was jointly produced with global consultancy InterVISTAS and officially launched today at the 28th ACI EUROPE/World Annual General Assembly, Congress and Exhibition in Brussels. It provides guidance and key principles for governments, policy makers and regulators looking to adopt privatization as policy.
As air traffic growth continues to expand rapidly on a global basis, many airport operators are facing capacity constraints which not only limit further economic development but have also resulted in the intensification of bottlenecks, flight delays and deteriorated customer service. For airports to meet the demand, facilitate improvements in global connectivity, and ensure the benefits to the global economy are delivered, investment in airport infrastructure is critical.
Privatization has been shown to be a successful means by which to fund infrastructure development. Indeed, ACI World estimates that airports with private sector participation indeed invested 14% more in CAPEX measured as compared to their public counterparts and 12% more than the global average in the last five years.
Angela Gittens, Director General, ACI World, said: “ACI has a neutral position on airport ownership and does not suggest that airport privatization is the only suitable policy choice. There is, however, a global need to finance new airport infrastructure to meet future demand and if government spending cannot be relied upon as it has been in the past then there is ample evidence of the value created by private investment in airports around the world.
“There is no-one size fits-all model given the large variety of social and economic circumstances, needs and objectives across the globe but positive lessons can be learned from existing privatisation processes, especially where they have been subject to stable, consistent and proportionate economic oversight.
“Securing the overall viability and sustainability of a private project requires that the government set appropriate parameters from the very start of the process. This requires a thorough analysis of the market into which airports are being privatised and the evolution of the airport industry as businesses in their own right in an increasingly competitive environment.
“Individual governments are better placed to set the appropriate strategic objectives and to understand where the private sector is likely to add the most value for their airports. Any economic oversight, if necessary, should take into account the level of the investment and the need to generate a reasonable return proportionate to the level of risk taken by the private investor.”
Governments should take the time for a robust project preparation considering technical, legal, financial, environmental and social dimensions. The tendering stage, for instance, is essential to ensure that the right investor is selected for a project and government goals are fully met. The government should be clear and transparent with respect to these, which may include the infrastructure development, increases in efficiency, productivity and customer service, reduced government funding, generating a return for taxpayers, connectivity and the wider economic benefits.
Notes for editors
1. For more information, download the full Policy Brief .
2. Airports Council International (ACI), the trade association of the world’s airports, was founded in 1991 with the objective of fostering cooperation among its member airports and other partners in world aviation, including the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Air Transport Association and the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation. In representing the best interests of airports during key phases of policy development, ACI makes a significant contribution toward ensuring the global air transport system is safe, secure, efficient and environmentally sustainable. As of January 2018, provisional figures show that ACI serves 641 members operating 1,953 airports in 176 countries.
3. The ACI World Policy Brief has been prepared by ACI World in partnership with ACI Asia-Pacific and ACI Latin America-Caribbean with the assistance of InterVISTAS Consulting Inc. The research incorporates inputs from a broad range of aviation industry experts. ACI World acknowledges the assistance of InterVISTAS Consulting Inc. in preparing this Policy Brief.
4. Download a PDF version of this media release.
Media contacts:
Hicham Ayoun
Manager, Communications
ACI World
Telephone: +1 514 373 1223
Email: mediarelations@aci.aero
Anita Berthier
Manager, External Relations and Special Events
ACI World
Telephone: +1 514 373 1254
Email: mediarelations@aci.aero