Airport capacity, particularly runway capacity, is scarce at some European airports and how slots are allocated at them is an important determinant of providing a system to support a competitive aviation industry. Making the best use of available, but scarce, capacity is essential, particularly at peak times during the day or season when many large European airports are heavily congested.
Regulation (EEC) 95/93 establishes a mechanism for the allocation of capacity at congested airports and seeks to ensure non-discriminatory and transparent slot allocation. An analysis carried out in 2010-2011 (also by Steer) showed that the slot allocation system in place prevents optimal use of the scarce capacity at busy airports. Therefore, in 2011, the European Commission (EC) proposed changes to the current Regulation, which provided for a range of amendments.
Most industry stakeholders agree that some of the issues with the operation of the Regulation identified in 2010-2011 remain, while others may have emerged or evolved as a result of market developments in recent years.
How we helped
This fact-finding study updated the market analysis, data and information which underpinned the Commission’s 2011 Slot Proposal. It also presented an analysis of whether the amendments made by the co-legislators in 2012 remain relevant and reviewed other ideas proposed by stakeholders in light of developments in the market. Lastly, it considered links between the Slot Regulation and other EU aviation policy.
The methodology involved a wide-ranging consultation with stakeholders using a number of approaches to engage with relevant parties, collect information about their specific situation and their views on the functioning of the Slot Regulation, as well as their views on the Slot Proposal and potential changes to the Regulation. Steer also conducted research, including a literature review, to collect up-to-date information, followed by analysis of this material to understand the issues emerging from the application of the Regulation.
Successes and outcomes
The evidence presented covered policy and market developments, including detailed analysis of the developments and the arrangements for slot coordination at 16 focus airports. The intervention logic for the Slot Regulation and the problem definition which accompanied the Slot Proposal were reviewed in the context of the findings emerging from the up-to-date analysis.
The findings of the study will support further discussions on the reform of the slots rules in the long-term.
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