A Model Choice

Would a privatised Airservices be more efficient and effective?

Airservices is currently undertaking a program to significantly reduce its cost base. Others in the aviation industry believe that this restructuring process should be expanded to include a new ownership model. Earlier this year, at Senate Estimates, the Secretary for the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development advised that the issue of Airservices ownership was “on the table”, and Canada’s and the United Kingdom’s ownership models for their air traffic management services are often cited as alternatives.

Airservices has a legislated monopoly for air traffic control activities in Australia, encompassing aerodrome, approach and en route services. These services are provided from two air traffic control centres (Melbourne and Brisbane), four terminal control units and 29 airport control towers. It also provides aviation rescue firefighting services and performs a number of related services such as noise monitoring and procedure design.