YYC Calgary Airport is a well managed facility, but could it benefit from privatisation? Part two

Canada has always been an outlier where the privatisation of its airports is concerned: facilities there being owned by a state organisation from which the main airports are leased to 'not for profit' stakeholder organisations, with boards consisting mainly - although not exclusively - of public sector members.

Meanwhile, airports take a hit each year off the government, which can charge up to 12% of gross revenue as a property tax.

It is both the best and worst of all possible worlds, depending on how you look at it, but the government, operators, and the public generally favour it.

In 2017 the government instigated an investigation into full privatisation, but with strong opposition - especially from the operators - it fizzled out.

With the CAPA - Centre for Aviation Americas Airline Leader Summit approaching in May-2024 and being held in Calgary, an airport which is doing just fine and was firmly against privatisation in 2017, it is time to consider if this matter should be put back on the agenda.

This is part two of a two-part report.