Privatisation and commercialisation: Changes in UK airport ownership patterns

This paper examines changes in airport ownership patterns with reference to UK municipal airports. The implications of commercialisation and privatisation are explored at a national level. General issues and impacts that may serve as a guide to policy makers worldwide are identified. The need for countries to have a strategic airports policy to guide development towards national economic and environmental goals is highlighted. The paper concludes that a uniform pattern of privatised airport ownership offers benefits from economic, policy and planning perspectives. © 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved