- ACI World is campaigning to reform the airport slot system
- More than 200 airports worldwide are designated Level 3
- The current slot system was developed in the 1970s
- ACI World proposes more transparency and a stronger role for airports
- The reform aims to promote competition and lower fares
ACI World has campaigned to reform the airport slot system, the system that decides when airlines can operate at airports where demand exceeds capacity. More than 200 airports worldwide are designated Level 3, which means that demand exceeds capacity. This includes major hubs like Heathrow and New York JFK to smaller airports such as Bristol. The current slot system was developed in the 1970s when governments were deciding who flew where.
ACI World Director General Justin Erbacci reported the number of slot restricted airports is up more than 25pc in a decade. He reported passenger traffic is nearly doubling by 2047 and the need for modernisation of slot policies is never more important. He reported the current system gives airlines the ability to maintain their slots based upon only the simple criteria that it gets used 80pc, which makes it extremely difficult for new entrants to gain access to slot-constrained airports.
ACI World proposes more transparency in the way slots are being utilised and exchanged. It also proposes that airports and regional governments have a say in how slots are allocated. ACI World believes there has to be more criteria that coordinators follow in how they allocate slots other than just somebody had one before and they get it automatically. The reform aims to promote competition, access to more destinations and lower fares.
Justin Erbacci shared “The current slot system was developed back in the 1970s when governments were basically deciding who flew where. And since then, aviation has liberalized significantly and modernized, but airport slot allocation has not kept pace.”
