Canadian Labour Congress warns of airport privatization risks

A report by the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) warns that privatizing Canada’s airports could lead to increased passenger fares, job losses, and reduced public value. The report, titled ‘Public Runways, Private Profits: Why Airport Privatization Would Be Risky and Costly for Canadians’, analyzes models in Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The CLC argues that private investors may require airports to generate 15% to 20% more revenue than the current not-for-profit model to deliver competitive returns. The report cites Australia as an example, noting that following privatization, revenue collected from airlines per passenger at Perth Airport rose by over 60% in a decade, while Sydney Airport reduced its workforce by 40% after job protections expired.