ACI World has called for a modernised global airport slot allocation system, arguing that rules designed more than 50 years ago no longer fit today’s aviation market. The Montreal-based airports group wants a more transparent and collaborative framework that can respond to rising demand, protect competition and preserve passenger choice at congested hubs.
In a white paper titled Airport Slot Policy — Rethinking Airport Access in a Capacity-Constrained World, the organisation said the current framework favours incumbents and can restrict access for new or expanding operators. Justin Erbacci, ACI World’s director general, framed the issue as trying to run a 2026 aviation industry on a 1970s operating system.
The group pointed to a tighter capacity environment, saying the number of slot-constrained airports has grown by more than 25% over the past decade and that global passenger traffic is expected to nearly double by the mid-2040s. ACI World urged regulators and industry stakeholders to work together now, before capacity pressure deepens further and limits network development, fares competition and connectivity.