In late 2009, Derry City Council, who own City of Derry Airport, placed an advert in the European journal for a ‘Partnership Opportunity’ at the airport. Parsons Brinckerhoff / Regional & City (PB/RCA) Airports, a Balfour Beatty Company, together with 6 other parties, responded to the advert, with PB/RCA proposing a Management Services Agreement which would supplement the existing management team with PB/RCA staff whilst leveraging the expertise embedded at the two Regional & City operated airports. After a number of rounds of bidding, PB/RCA were awarded the 10 year contract, in October 2010.

This form of contract is the first of its kind within the UK aviation market. Other forms of contract, such as concession agreements, are in existence but this model, where the asset is owned by one party with management services provided by another is new and reflects the unique offering of PB/RCA – consultancy services delivered by Parsons Brinckerhoff supplemented with expertise and operational support from the management teams of Regional & City Airports at their existing two Balfour Beatty airports.

By pooling resources and increasing buying power through group procurement we believe this model is very appealing to smaller, local authority owned airports who need assistance streamlining operations and ultimately increasing the profitability of their asset.