Leigh Fisher Associates was retained in August 1996 as the Airport Consultant by Airport Group Australia in support of its bid to acquire and manage Melbourne and Brisbane international and Perth airports. These airports had been operated by the Federal Airports Corporation as part of the national airport system. The Australian government offered these airports for private management under a competitive bidding process. The tasks performed by Leigh Fisher Associates included:

• Assessment of the feasibility of privatized airport management strategies
• Identification and assessment of future revenue streams and opportunities to reduce costs
• Analysis of international trends in airline and passenger traffic
• Analysis of the effects on retail and duty free trading from rapidly increasing international passenger traffic
• Long-term financial analysis and planning, development of a financial system, and revenue forecasts
• Management of multiple debt and equity investment organizations
• Coordination of communication with national and local government organizations regarding airport privatization
• Management and training of airport personnel, with emphasis on transitioning to the privatized environment

Leigh Fisher Associates produced an integrated business and facility development plan for each airport based on traffic forecasting, concession expansion, and overall economic growth. Airport Group Australia was successful in its efforts and was awarded a 50-year lease to operate and manage Perth Airport in May 1997.

Client
Airport Group Australia

Services
-Airport Privatization
-Management and Organization
-Forecasting and Economics
-Commercial and Concessions
-Financial Planning and Advisory
-Terminal Facilities Planning