Reconciling public and private interests in the planning and development of airports : the Australian experience, 1995-2008

Abstract

In the wake of the deregulation of the airline industry since the 1980s, there is now a new history of airport privatization around the world that is continuing with the
proposed privatisation of American airports. The process has been driven by neoliberal philosophies interlinking the desire for greater competitiveness, efficiency and growth with massive investment requirements in infrastructure beyond the scope of the public purse. The result has been an inexorable increase and diversification in airport commercial activity as operators seek to maximise returns on investment. A new urban landscape has emerged over the last two decades as airports have evolved from specialised transport hubs to mixed activity centres of increasing regional sgnificance.