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Air Management and ATC

Around the world, a number of countries have commercialised their air traffic control, although among the industrialised economies, only Canada and the UK have privatised their ATC systems. Air traffic control on the United Arab Emirates has been managed under contract by Serco for almost a decade. However, in North America and in Europe, ATC at a number of smaller airfields is managed by the private sector under contract.

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The Urgent Need to Reform the FAA's Air Traffic Control System (PDF)
Poole, Robert W. Jr., 2007
Reason Foundation
A report that recommends the use of air congestion charges and the commercialisation of the Air Traffic Organisation to free it from civil service constraints and political oversight.

USA

Refinancing the Public Private Partnership for National Air Traffic Services (Report) (PDF)
National Audit Office (NAO), 2004
The Stationery Office
A follow up report to NAO's 2002 recommendations regarding the need for enhancing NATS' PPP though a revision of its  financial position. The report concludes that NATS', finances are robust, due mainly to the application of a composite solution involving cost reductions, new sources of investment, revised bank facilities as well as other actions.  
HC 157
UK

Why An Air Traffic Control Corporation Makes Sense: A Response to the NATCA White Paper (PDF)
Poole, Robert W. Jr., 2003
Reason Public Policy Institute
This policy study responds to The National Air Trafic Controllers Association (NATCA) White Paper which argued against the privatisation of air traffic control (ATC) services.

USA

The Public Private Partnership for National Air Traffic Services Ltd (PDF)
House of Commons Public Accounts Committee, 2003
The Stationery Office
This report examines the choice of a PPP as the best option, the testing that was done on the airline group's financial proposals, the implications of the financial structure that is now in place, and the prospects for the company.
HC 80
UK

Transport- Sixth Report (Web Page)
House of Commons Transport Committee, 2003
The Stationery Office
A report that calls for a more proactive interaction between the Government and the private sector to further the development of UK's aviation infrastructure. The document calls for a strategy that would make best use of existing facilities, expand existing airports on a case by case basis and dismisses the construction of new major airports on greenfield sites. 
HC 454
UK

The Public Private Partnership for National Air Traffic Services Ltd (Report) (PDF)
National Audit Office (NAO), 2002
The Stationery Office
This report looks at the issues of choice of private sector partner, accountability to the public, as well as safety and national security arrangements. 
HC 1096
UK

Contract Towers: Observations on FAA's Study of Expanding the Program (Word)
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 2000
Department of Transportation
A review aimed to determine whether contract towers were being staffed in accordance with contract requirements as well as assess FAA's oversight of contractor compliance. Furthermore the report evaluates the accuracy and completeness of FAA's study of expanding the Contract Tower Program to determine whether all relevant costs and benefits were appropriately identified and considered. 
Report No. AV-2000-079
USA

Passenger-Friendly Airports: Another Reason For Airport Privatization (Web Page)
Advani, Asheesh, 1999
Reason Public Policy Institute
A study that assesses the impact of airport privatisation on passengers. The results are drawn from a wide sample of international cases which seem to conclude that privatised airports are significantly more responsive to passengers than government-owned airports. 

USA

Contracting Out the Operation of Indianapolis International Airport
Lips, David A. , 1997
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Public Management Occasional Papers, No.20, Chapter 9
A case study of the privatization of the operations of the airport services in Indianapolis, USA. The case highlights the complexity of the task and the steps taken for guaranteeing a successful outcome.

USA

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