Authors: Hanna Schebesta and Giovanni Sartor
European University Institute

Iata Worldwide Slot Guidelines (wsg)

Abstract: This case study explores the Worldwide Slot Guidelines (WSG), which represent a set of agreements made under the auspices of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in order to allocate airport capacity. The right to use airport capacity for the purpose of takeoff and landing operations at airports is commonly called slots, with each airport having a finite amount of airport capacity. Thus, the slot allocation process is one of resource management: the WSG were developed as a global industry standard to address a key constraint in the aviation domain. The actual process of slot allocation is complex and involves organizations and stakeholders at multiple levels, all falling under the umbrella of IATA, a trade association representing 240 airlines. It designates particularly congested airports, creates roles of airport coordinators, and establishes management principles for slot allocation. Because they manage a valuable economic resource, the transparency and independence of coordinators is of particular concern: this has resulted in the institutionalization of a negotiating process to ensure accountability among key stakeholders. Through an examination of the history and key points of change in the process, the WSG case presents an example of private sector coordinated resource management.

Worldwide Slot Guidelines

For decades, the world’s busiest airports have used slot allocation to make sure precious slots for take-offs and landings are allocated efficiently, making the best possible use of flight movements to maximise passenger throughput. The World Slot Guidelines (WSG), published and overseen by the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Joint Slot Advisory Group, provide a standardised framework for managing these slots, with the document’s standards evolving since 1974. The Worldwide Slot Guidelines (WSG) is published by IATA to provide the global air transport community with a single set of standards for the management of airport slots at coordinated airports and of planned operations at facilitated airports. IATA Urges European Commission To Extend Slot Waiver. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has renewed its call for the European Commission to finalize the conditions of the slot rules at European airports this winter. In a release today, it detailed pre-agreed upon conditions for fair use of the waiver, and has been joined by numerous other industry bodies, airports and airlines in calling for a decision soon.