Tuesday, August 13, 2024 Explore how Artemis Aerospace unveils the intricate history of airline slot allocations and their impact on the aviation industry. When you track an aircraft on Flightradar or watch the white trails crossing a bright blue sky, do you ever ponder the logistics behind scheduling flight slots? You might assume it’s an unrestricted global affair where airlines can schedule flights on a whim—from Heathrow to Sydney today, or perhaps from Gatwick to Melbourne tomorrow, with no repercussions for altering plans. However, this isn’t the case.
Every flight departing from a major airport must adhere strictly to its assigned slot. An airport slot grants authorization to utilize facilities such as runways, gates, and terminals on designated dates and times, allowing an aircraft to either depart or arrive. These slots are distributed based on biannual guidelines from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Worldwide Airports Slots Group, which collaborates with airlines and various stakeholders to ensure equitable access and efficient coordination.
This process aims to enhance safety and operational efficiency at highly trafficked airports. In the UK, the distribution of these slots is managed by Airport Coordination Ltd (ACL), a pioneering independent slot coordination entity funded by airport operators. ACL assigns slots for both the winter and summer travel seasons.
The coordination at airports is structured into three distinct tiers: Tier 1 inv.