How will the shortfall be funded?
The key question as far as Shn is concerned is who will continue to fund the big shortfall in operating and debt servicing costs..irrespective of the ownership? There appears to be a view locally that if it's run by regional interests then it will be more cost efficient and effective in attracting new airlines? (and that a private operator under a concession model would acheive this somehow?) If they are cut loose from the DAA umbilical cord then it will be very interesting to see how the airport plans to generate the hard cash needed to pay wages and maintain the infrastructure over the next 3-5 years while they implement all of these new plans...i wouldnt bet against them having to consider a pax levy in the short/medium term as some other regional airports here and in the UK and Canada have had to introduce ...if the local interests dont agree to fund the shortfall. Regional interests will have to get real on the true costs of maintaining an interantional airport and stop playing politics.