How Airport Slots Are Allocated to Airlines?

In order to understand how airport slots are allocated to airlines, it is important to first understand what an airport slot is. An airport slot is simply a time period during which an airline has the right to use a particular gate or runway at an airport.

There are a limited number of slots available at any given airport, and they are generally allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule.

The vast majority of airports in the United States use a system known as the Slot Performance Plan (SPP) to allocate slots. Under this system, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) monitors the on-time performance of airlines operating at each airport.

Those airlines that consistently operate their flights on time are rewarded with additional slots, while those that do not perform as well may have their slots reduced. This system is designed to incentivize airlines to improve their on-time performance and help reduce delays at airports.

There are a handful of other airports around the world that use different systems for allocating slots. For example, London Heathrow Airport operates under what is known as the Preference System. Under this system, slots are allocated based on an airline’s historic usage of the airport.

Those airlines that have used Heathrow more frequently in the past are given priority when it comes to obtaining new slots. This system is designed to ensure that airlines have some level of certainty when planning their operations at Heathrow.

The process of allocating airport slots can be quite complex and controversial. Airlines often jockey for position in order to secure the most desirable slots at popular airports.

This can lead to tension between airlines and between airports and their surrounding communities. Ultimately, though, the goal of slot allocation is to ensure that airports can operate efficiently and effectively, while also providing airlines with some level of certainty about their operations.