Market versus state in building the aviation value chain

• A disaggregated regulatory approach for the aviation value chain is presented.
• Market driven slot allocation should not be hampered by regulation.
• Non-discriminatory access charges do not conflict with price differentiation.
• Separation of market power regulation and subsidy policies is necessary.

The aim of this paper is to analyze the liberalization of the aviation value chain and the remaining role of government policy. In particular, the role of sector-specific regulation of monopolistic bottleneck components of the air traffic value chain is analyzed. For competition on air transport markets and ground handling services to operate efficiently, non-discriminatory access to complementary monopolistic airport infrastructures must be guaranteed. In particular, the evolution of market driven slot allocation and the role of airport regulation are analyzed. Finally, the issue of airport subsidies is taken into consideration.