On The Radar

Does UK air traffic contestability have lessons for Australia?

There has been something of a push from parts of the government and industry to introduce competition for Airservices in the delivery of air traffic services to drive down costs. So how could that work? Evidence from the United Kingdom suggests that competition is difficult to foster, while costs may reduce in some areas it may increase the burden in others.

In countries like Australia where the commercialised delivery of air traffic management (ATM) takes place, en route control is legislated as a statutory monopoly.