Leading airline associations from around the world have joined forces to advocate for governments to ensure the global alignment of airport slot regulations. This united front aims to safeguard the consistent, fair, and transparent allocation of slots under the Worldwide Airport Slot Guidelines (WASG). The harmonization of slot regulations is crucial to maintain stability and foster growth in the aviation industry. In a joint statement, prominent associations highlighted the benefits of the WASG, emphasizing its pivotal role in driving connectivity, competition, and consumer choice in air travel.
The African Airlines Association (AFRAA), Airlines for America (A4A), Airlines International Representation in Europe (AIRE), Arab Air Carriers Organisation (AACO), Association of Asia-Pacific Airlines (AAPA), European Express Association, European Regions Airline Association (ERAA), International Air Transport Association (IATA), and Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) have all rallied behind the call for global alignment. These associations represent the collective voice of airlines across different regions, highlighting the shared importance of standardized slot regulations.
“The air transport industry thrives on consistent global standards. The Worldwide Airport Slot Guidelines are the unsung hero of the air transport system. Because of the WASG, travelers, businesses, and economies the world over have benefited from constant growth in air connectivity, strong competition, and route diversity while ensuring that utilization of scarce airport capacity also increased. Governments should align their slot rules with this global standard to benefit from better air connectivity, efficiency, and consumer choice,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
The fragmentation of slot regulation poses significant risks to airline schedules and jeopardizes the remarkable progress achieved in global connectivity, efficiency, and choice within the aviation sector. With the number of slot-regulated airports increasing steadily worldwide, the need for governments to recognize the importance of harmonizing slot regulations in line with the WASG becomes even more critical.
Decades of Success with WASG
The WASG has played a vital role in maintaining stability and consistency in slot management, providing consumers with reliable schedules and facilitating expansion into new markets. Airlines and airports have also reaped the benefits of increased utilization of scarce airport capacity. The joint statement emphasized the long-standing success of the WASG and its positive impact on the industry.
“With the Worldwide Airport Slot Guidelines, travelers, businesses, and economies have benefited from constant growth in air connectivity, strong competition, and route diversity. Governments should align their slot rules with this global standard to benefit from better air connectivity, efficiency, and consumer choice,” emphasized Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
The WASG has undergone significant revisions in recent years to promote competition, enhance access opportunities at congested airports, and optimize slot performance monitoring. It is imperative that national and regional slot regulations align dynamically with the WASG to allow the aviation sector and travelers to immediately benefit from these and future enhancements. The associations also urged governments to engage with the Worldwide Airport Slot Board, an expert body comprising representatives from airlines, airports, and slot coordinators, to ensure effective collaboration and the incorporation of expert revisions to the WASG.
“The air transport industry thrives on consistent global standards. The Worldwide Airport Slot Guidelines are the unsung hero of the air transport system. Because of the WASG, travelers, businesses, and economies the world over have benefited from constant growth in air connectivity, strong competition, and route diversity while ensuring that utilization of scarce airport capacity also increased. Governments should align their slot rules with this global standard to benefit from better air connectivity, efficiency, and consumer choice,” reiterated Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
