ACI World Calls for Immediate Overhaul of Antiquated Airport Slot System
The global aviation industry is grappling with an escalating capacity crisis, prompting worldwide airports to raise the red flag. On September 15, 2026, the global trade association representing airports, Airports Council International (ACI) World, unveiled a pivotal white paper. This document advocates for the immediate modernisation of the outdated global airport slot allocation system.
The white paper elucidates how the existing regulatory framework, conceived over 50 years ago, is compelling the industry into inefficient compromises and suppressing competition. The count of the world’s most congested, slot-restricted airports has skyrocketed by more than 25% in the past decade. Meanwhile, global passenger traffic is forecasted to nearly double by the mid-2040s. Among the 50 most congested airports, a mere four airlines represent 67% of all flights, underscoring the monopoly legacy carriers have over limited capacity.
Justin Erbacci, ACI World Director General, was candid in his assessment: “We are attempting to operate a 2026 aviation industry on a 1970s operating system.” He implored airlines and regulators to discard a “zero-sum mentality” and collaborate on constructing a transparent, future-proof framework. Such a framework would stimulate competition and offer better fares and connectivity for passengers. ACI World convened a live webinar on the subject today, assembling aviation stakeholders from around the world.