ACI World pushes regulators to overhaul airport slot allocation rules

Airports Council International World wants the global airport slot allocation system modernised. In a new white paper, the association argues the regulatory framework was designed more than five decades ago and no longer fits the industry it governs.

ACI World said the current rules push aviation into inefficient compromises and hold back economic competitiveness and connectivity. The number of the world's most congested, slot-restricted airports has grown by more than 25% over the past ten years, according to the association, while global passenger traffic is projected to nearly double by the mid-2040s.

The paper, titled Airport Slot Policy – Rethinking Airport Access in a Capacity-Constrained World, looks at how the present system affects stakeholders across the aviation ecosystem. ACI World is asking regulators to work with the industry on changes before congestion worsens.

"We are trying to run a 2026 aviation industry on a 1970s operating system," director general Justin Erbacci said. He added that airports operate within an outdated framework, and that inflexible rules and practices keep the sector from adapting to passenger demand, offering competitive fares and building resilient networks. ACI World urged regulators to engage with the industry on what it calls an overdue upgrade.

The association has raised the issue before. It said the scale of the challenge is significant and requires action now.