Implementation performance and resilience under different governance arrangements in Russian regional airport public-private partnerships

Abstract

This study compares seven Russian regional airport public-private partnership projects to examine how governance arrangements relate to implementation performance and adaptation under uncertainty. The analysis draws on public documents, project-participant materials, industry reports, and business media available by May 2026. A qualitative multiple-case design combines thematic analysis with cross-case synthesis. The cases range from comparatively favorable completed delivery to projects with documented cost, schedule, quality, or compliance problems; three remain at an early or intermediate investment stage. Projects involving specialized airport operators more often include bank financing, long-term commitments, and demand- or payment-adjustment mechanisms, although their implementation records vary. Traffic-linked payments, phased delivery, grants, minimum-income mechanisms, and compensation clauses redistribute demand and financing risk and provide room for contractual adjustment. Formal concession status conceals substantial differences in responsibilities, financing, and public exposure. Realized public-value and resilience outcomes require longitudinal evidence across construction and operation. Public authorities and investors should assess project preparation, risk allocation, contingent liabilities, and tariff predictability rather than legal form alone.