New scientific research finds that private equity (PE) firms are able to improve airports by increasing the number of routes served, the number of airlines operating, and the quality of food and shopping options at airports:

…Our central finding is that PE acquisitions bring marked improvements in airport performance along a rich array of dimensions such as passengers per flight, total passengers, number of routes, number of airlines, cancellations, and awards. Net income increases after PE acquisitions, which does not reflect lower costs or layoffs. In contrast, in the few cases where non-PE acquisitions bring some improvement, it appears to reflect targeting rather than operational changes…

All Clear for Takeoff: Evidence from Airports on the Effects of Infrastructure Privatization

You can read the research online here.

Does anyone know an airport which could do with more routes, more airlines, more passengers, more food options and more shopping outlets while reducing flight cancellations?

Michael Josem is a long-term consumer advocate, most prominently as a global leader in combating fraud in the online gambling industry. He was in part the inspiration for the 20th Century Fox Movie, Runner Runner, starring Ben Affleck and Justin Timberlake.

Josem has over a decade of experience as a senior business leader working across various high-tech and online industries, and takes action to build a better community. His primary volunteer roles include service for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and Graih, the homelessness charity.