Congestion at Heathrow
We were commissioned by Heathrow Airport to provide economic analysis of how capacity constraints were impacting passenger prices.
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Evidence-based advice for the journey ahead
Climate change and digitalisation are fundamentally reshaping transport.
New technology is leading to new business models and modes of delivery, while the drive for sustainability is changing everything from government policy to customer behaviour.
These forces have profound implications for the sector. We provide the evidence-based insight that helps our clients navigate change and stay ahead.
Frontier combines in-depth knowledge of the transport sector, climate change policy and regulation, and understanding of digitalisation with rigorous economic analysis and data science. We work across regulation, policy, competition and dispute support, advising clients including airports, airlines, public transport operators, infrastructure managers, investors, automotive companies, transport and finance ministries, and regulators.
The value we add:
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We work closely with you to understand your business, and your issues, and then tailor our advice to focus on what will make a difference to you
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We are employee-owned, and here for the long-term, so we will invest in our relationship with you
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Our advice is based on best-in-class economics and data science, communicated clearly
The services we provide
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Advising on the design and implementation of regulatory frameworks, including supporting engagement with regulators, policy makers and other stakeholders;
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Measuring economic impacts of changes in policy (particularly those related to environmental issues such as carbon pricing or emissions pooling) and major infrastructure projects, including developing the strategic and economic dimensions of business cases and advising on all aspects of regulatory price controls
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Expertise in antitrust/competition policy and litigation, including all aspects pre-merger advice/risk assessment through to expert witness testimony
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Providing commercial and strategic advice taking into account in costs, pricing and markets
Regulation
We help clients like airports and rail infrastructure providers with all aspects of the regulatory process, including overall regulatory strategy, regulatory finance and WACC, cost and charging benchmarking, charging structure and strategy, and incentive design.
Our experts combine an understanding of regulatory structures with a deep knowledge of transport sectors.
We then use this in conjunction with advanced quantitative techniques and economic modelling to create bespoke solutions for our clients.
Our expertise:
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Regulatory economics
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Market power assessment
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Designing regulatory incentives, price reviews and charging structures
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Efficiency benchmarking
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Asset valuation
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Regulatory finance and cost of capital assessment
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Pricing strategy
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Demand forecasting
Competition
Competition policy is a vital part of transport regulation. Providers must navigate national and international competition policy as well as sector regulation.
Frontier has extensive competition expertise, an in-depth understanding of transport networks services and how different transports function. We apply this knowledge to market investigations, merger inquiries, anti-competitive conduct cases, class actions and state aid cases.
Our experience also covers litigation and commercial disputes, including expert witness work at leading international forums.
Economic and environmental impact
Transport links are essential to economic development. But these projects are often a balancing act between economic benefit and environmental impact.
Frontier provides fresh thinking to help our clients understand and measure that balance. We use innovative techniques to assess the impact of different policies and investments at local, national and international levels.
Our clients include transport providers, trade and research associations, regulators, and government bodies.
Our expertise:
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Understanding the impacts of environmental policy on market dynamics
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Cost-benefit analysis
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Life-cycle analysis
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Carbon pricing and carbon markets
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Emissions trading schemes
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Biodiversity valuation
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Designing and assessing market-based solutions to reduce environmental impact
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Using insights from behavioural economics to help create a more sustainable transport system
Policy design & evaluation
Transport policy is at the heart of any well-functioning economy. When it’s effective, it enhances quality of life, competitiveness, and economic growth.
We work in the aviation, highways, maritime, bus and rail sectors, assessing policies that involve both service providers and infrastructure owners/operators. We regularly assist government agencies and senior officials at European institutions, as well as firms seeking to engage with policy makers.
Our expertise:
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Assessing policies to help our clients make the best decisions
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Measuring the economy-wide impact of policies
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Providing cost-benefit assessments
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Assessing local impacts of mobility policies
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Evaluation of policy
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Helping potential investors understand the implications of policy reforms
Read more about our public policy work here
Commercial implications and decision making
Commercial decisions in the transport sector can be complex. They require balancing response to cost pressures, consumer behaviour, market trends and external risks.
We help our clients make sense of these factors, assessing the impact of policy changes and technological advancements to help businesses adapt their strategies to change.
Our insights enable informed decision making that boosts efficiency, drives profitability and positions transport sector companies for long-term success.
Our expertise:
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Assessing pricing strategies and market entry opportunities
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Demand modelling
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Anticipating competitive interactions
Investor due diligence
Understanding risk is central to making sound investment decisions. We partner with leading investors, investment banks and financial advisors to undertake investor due diligence on a range of transport assets. Our global knowledge of regulatory frameworks and market conditions enables robust company and asset valuations.
Our work typically focuses on regulatory and competition risk of a transaction, including initial risk assessments and support through all stages of the bid and execution.
Our expertise:
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Regulatory risk assessment
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Competition risk assessment
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Demand & revenue risk assessment
Helping ensure fair and competitive rail access in Chile
We provided economic insight to one of Chile’s leading freight operators, in response to a proposed change to rail access tariffs that raised questions over competition.
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Helping the UK reach zero-emission shipping
The UK government published its Clean Maritime Plan, a national action plan to reduce emissions from shipping. We led the economic research behind the plan.
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Decarbonising transport in France
We were commissioned by ADEME to identify and assess public policy measures to support the transition to net zero
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