U.S. airport privatization: Is airport privatization in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ U.S. finally ready to take off?
DownloadAfter years of anticipation and disappointments, airport privatization in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ U.S. (commonly referred to as “public-private partnerships” or “P3s”) seems finally ready to take off. A number of P3 transactions are currently in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ works with Å·²©ÓéÀÖ promise of more to come. This has investors, operators, and U.S. public sector airport owners sitting up and taking notice.
The history of airport P3 transactions in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ U.S. has been disappointing. Over Å·²©ÓéÀÖ past 20 years of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) Airport Privatization Pilot Program (APPP), only two airports have successfully navigated Å·²©ÓéÀÖ process: Luis Munez International Airport (LMM) in Puerto Rico and Stewart Airport in Newburgh, New York. (Stewart reverted back to a publically owned airport in 2003 when it was purchased by Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Port Authority of New York/New Jersey.) Several failed attempts at Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) and elsewhere in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ U.S. have led to Å·²©ÓéÀÖ widespread belief that it cannot happen here.
ICF believes that within Å·²©ÓéÀÖ next five years, partial privatizations - in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ form of P3s -will become commonplace in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ U.S. as an important option for U.S. airports to upgrade infrastructure and deliver a better passenger experience. Terminal privatization, gate privatization, operating contracts with investment requirements and commercial concession operation will become Å·²©ÓéÀÖ norm.
Recent U.S. airport privatization activity, along with construction and development needs, opens Å·²©ÓéÀÖ door for new ways of delivering airport projects in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ U.S. Watch ICF Vice President Eliot Lees providing his take on this hot topic at GAD World Paris.