IATA 2020: Day 3 – Slots

The 2020 International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Annual General Meeting and Conference wound up last Wednesday on the controversial subject of airport slots.

The dissidents were not IATA members.  Ryanair and Wizz have their own axe to grind.  Both want further access to slot-restricted airports, with the great majority of airlines very reluctant to give up any of their hard fought for positions.

The Worldwide Airport Slot Board (WASB), comprising Airports Council International (ACI World), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Worldwide Airport Coordinators Group (WWACG) released a joint recommendation for airport slot use relief for the northern summer 2021 season. The organisations called on regulators worldwide to temporarily adopt more flexible slot rules in line with the recommendation as quickly as possible in order to preserve essential air transport connectivity.

In normal industry conditions this is set at 80-20. The WASB recommends this be amended to 50-50 for Summer 2021.

“It is vital that regulators quickly adopt the WASB proposals on a globally harmonised basis. Airlines and airports need certainty as they are already planning the 2021 summer season (which begins in April) and have to agree schedules. Delays in adopting new rules will further damage the industry at a time when industry finances, and 4.8m jobs in air transport, hang by a thread,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

“Creating a globally-compatible approach to the crucial issue of airport slots is an important part of underpinning a recovery of aviation. The united position of the air transport industry on what needs to be done to protect connectivity and choice in the best interests of passengers is a clear signal to regulators of the extreme urgency of the situation. Action is needed now as any delay makes recovery for air transport, and the global economy, more difficult. We need regulators to recognise the crisis we are in and act with speed and flexibility,” said Luis Felipe de Oliveira, Director General of ACI World.

www.wwacg.org

www.aci.aero

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