Aviation Bodies Join Forces for Smoother Slot Allocation

Photo Source: @IATA

Airport operators, airlines, and slot coordinators recently announced that they had joined forces to work together on global guidelines for the allocation of airport slots aiming to improve the traveler experience by ensuring schedule reliability.

The Airports Council International (ACI) World, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the Worldwide Airport Coordinators Group (WWACG) said they had signed an agreement in this direction aiming to coordinate and maximize utilization of existing capacity in efforts to avoid delays, while also enhancing competition by providing opportunities for new entrants in the most congested airports.

All parties said the new governance and increased collaboration would also provide an opportunity to further modernize slot allocation mechanisms that would in the long run benefit the traveling public.

The new guidelines are expected to make slot allocation even more responsive to changing needs of the market.

“By working together with ACI and WWACG the time-tested WSG will become even more responsive to evolving market needs. But it is vital that policy-makers remember insufficient capacity to meet demand forfeits economic opportunities. The new WSG governance will make the best use of what we have – but it is no substitute for investing in modern airports and air traffic management,” said IATA Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac.

According to ACI and IATA forecasts, global traffic is expected to double by 2030, highlighting the need for airports and airlines to make best use of existing infrastructure as well as plan for new infrastructure.