Airport slot allocation is a critical process in the Indian aviation industry that determines the scheduling of flights at congested airports. In India, major airports like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru face significant capacity constraints, making slot allocation essential for efficient operations.
The Airports Authority of India （AAI） and private airport operators manage slot allocation following guidelines from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation （DGCA）. These guidelines prioritize historical precedence, ensuring airlines with long-standing operations maintain their slots. New entrants and expanding carriers receive remaining slots through a transparent process.
Indian airports use a coordinator system to allocate slots fairly. The coordinator assesses airport capacity, airline requests, and operational requirements. During peak hours, slots are highly contested, leading to careful balancing of demands from full-service carriers like Air India and low-cost carriers such as IndiGo and SpiceJet.
Recent developments include the implementation of the Worldwide Slot Guidelines （WSG） by the International Air Transport Association （IATA）, which India has adopted to align with global standards. This system promotes fairness and efficiency, though challenges like infrastructure limitations and seasonal demand fluctuations persist.
Overall, airport slot allocation in India aims to optimize airspace use, reduce delays, and support the growth of the aviation sector while ensuring equitable access for all airlines. |
