Slot-allocation systems

The issue of lack of slots at capacity-craistrained airports is not new. Over the past decade, growth in air traffic has continued to outstrip available capacity at many airports. According to lATA, the total number of fully-coordinated airports subject to slot allocation under the lATA Schedule Coordination System had increased from 136 in 2000 to 142 in 2008 (Europe has an increase of 16%). Difficulty in obtaining slots can affect the ability of an air carrier to exercise its market access rights granted under relevant bilateral air services agreements. 

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