Have you ever watched a flight tracker or looked up at the sky, wondering how the criss-crossing paths of aircraft are organized? Contrary to what some might believe, it’s not a free-for-all in the skies. Every flight from a major airport is carefully planned, with each airline sticking to its allocated slot to ensure smooth and safe operations.
An airport slot grants an airline permission to use specific airport infrastructure—runways, gates, and terminals—on particular dates and times, allowing an aircraft to take off or land. These slots are regulated by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which releases guidelines twice a year in consultation with airlines and other stakeholders. The goal is to ensure fair access to the busiest airports and maintain safety and efficiency.
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In the UK, slot allocation is managed by Airport Coordination Ltd (ACL), the world’s first independent slot coordinator. ACL assigns slots for both winter and summer travel seasons. The process of slot allocation varies depending on the level of coordination needed:
- Level 1: No coordination required; the airport can typically meet demand.
- Level 2: Coordination is mutually agreed upon with airlines to manage potential peak-time congestion.
- Level 3: The airport’s capacity is significantly exceeded by demand, requiring all flights to have allocated slots.
Twice a year, IATA holds a conference where over 400 airport and airline representatives negotiate for slots that will best support their business growth. These slots are highly coveted, particularly at major hubs like London Heathrow, the UK’s largest airport and the fourth busiest in the world, handling nearly 80 million passengers in 2023.
London Heathrow, with some of the world’s most valuable slots, sees fierce competition. According to ACL’s winter 2023-2024 data, British Airways holds the lion’s share with 4,779 slots, followed by Virgin Atlantic with 392 slots, and Lufthansa with 290. The demand for slots can fluctuate with the popularity of destinations, seasonal travel patterns, or even cultural phenomena like ‘screen tourism’—Aer Lingus, for example, secured a new slot from Ireland West Airport to Heathrow after the success of the film “Banshees of Inisherin,” which highlighted the beauty of western Ireland.
To prevent airlines from monopolizing routes without utilizing their slots, the “80/20 rule” was introduced, requiring airlines to use at least 80% of their allocated slots or risk losing them to competitors. This rule was temporarily suspended during major global disruptions like the Covid-19 pandemic.
Slot trading is also a common practice, where airlines can buy, sell, or lease slots. A notable example occurred in 2016 when Oman Air purchased a pair of Heathrow slots from Air France-KLM for a staggering $75 million. On the other hand, global events can also lead to sudden slot availability, as seen when Aeroflot’s ban from Heathrow in 2022 opened up around 1,300 slots for other airlines.
Slot allocation is a critical aspect of global aviation, ensuring that flights operate smoothly, passengers are protected from delays, and airports manage their capacities efficiently. So, the next time you see a plane soaring overhead, remember the intricate planning and negotiations that helped it get there.
Source: Artemis Aerospace Delves into the History of Airline Slot Allocations
