Busy skies: a focus on slot-coordination and performance monitoring at slot coordinated airports

Abstract

Current growth trends in the South African aviation industry, as well as the expected passenger spike anticipated for the 201 0 FIFA World Cup™ necessitate that South African aviation infrastructure, particularly slot coordination, have the ability to provide airlines with equal opportunity to access the three fully slot coordinated airports safely. Critical to the post-2010 strategic outlook of South Africa is reputational maintenance in that this is critical to survival and future growth of the aviation industry In fact, the current system lends itsett to the threat of anti-compernive behaviour on various fronts in that various role-players could benefit through the present process. The current system does not have the necessary fail-safes built into it such as transparency, a separation of functions and has no clear lines of accountability. Effective monitoring and an appropriate legislative framework, including a formal enforcement mechanism are not in place to ensure effective utilisation of airport and airspace capacity. The study below aims to better understand of the impacts of slot coordination and performance on airline operations as highlighted by the insights drawn from processes followed by three of the leading aviation nations in the world. The researcher will offer recommendations based on the above.