The article says the federal government—under Mark Carney—has not definitively announced airport privatization, but appears to be exploring “options” to redeploy capital tied up in airports and potentially bring in private (even foreign) investors.

It notes that Canada’s big airports are currently tied to federal land ownership and run through independent, not-for-profit boards. If the government privatizes airports, the article says, the governance structure would have to change and regulators would need to ensure the model protects competition and keeps costs down.

The core concern raised is that transferring ownership can shift incentives: private operators may prioritize returns on investment, which can translate into higher charges to airlines (and potentially higher passenger prices) unless regulated carefully. The article also frames the risk as uncertain because no one outside government can clearly see the final plan yet—meaning outcomes would depend heavily on how privatization is designed, what price/fee rules are put in place, and how competition is maintained.