Government run public services might be financially less efficient from its nature, though they don't go on strike, don't capitalize on the monopoly position and can be hold accountable through political responsibility (and at least replace the head of the bureau). For consumers/customers, there are no options to "vote with your feet", when an ATC is abusing its monopoly position.
Good points to mention this. which is partially true. Partially because we have experience with both systems and can draw some conclsuions . Neither system is without flaws. First because most of the so called " privatised " ANSPs are in fact owned 100% by the State , And where its is not the case ( like UK NATS for instance) the State still has control and will cover the losses to keep the system going . Canada is another exception . Interestingly it was the success boy everybody was using to justify "privatisation" also by the FAA a few years ago. . Covid reminded everybody that it was not the panacea as it was reported here by Big pistons. Keeping the profits for yourself anfd your saheholders when everyting goes well ( especailly when you have a private monopoly ) but having to the State cover your debts when traffic goes down because the State cannot let you fail, is not really fair to the taxpayer but it is one of the lessons we saw with Covid ( same as with the banks in 2008, so nothing new) .
Big advantage of a "privatised " ANSP" is being able to raise money rapidly and buy best stuff there is on the market immediately , and doing so free of political interference, raise salaries of staff according to te marked as opposed to the public service fixed scales , recruit and promote the best elements faster, etc,, and the cherry on the cake : separate the regulator from the service provider. , so improving safety in the process. A totally different story in the US/FAA.
Last remark ; when you mention public servants do not go on strike. No. Again experience shows that ATC strilkes are happening in both systems , but with a huge tendency to be harder and last must longer when ATC is a public service. There has been very few strikes in privatised ANSPs since 1990 ( when it started ) ) and they did not last very long. Different story in countries where they are still public servants ( take France as an example ) or ,back to the US/FAA , between 1975 and 1981, PATCO did call for stikes despite not being allowed to. It ended very badly, and its effects on the ATC sytem in the US lasted decades..
Until recently NATCA was in bed with he FAA , and supporting "privatisation" NavCanada style. Covid has thrown some ice on the bed sheets , but I am curious to see what will happen when the sheets will be dry , meaning traffic going fast back up with a mounting ATC staff shortage ..