Montreal – September 17, 2026 -- Airports Council International (ACI) World released a white paper calling for an urgent modernisation of the global airport slot allocation system, warning that a regulatory framework designed more than 50 years ago is now stifling competition and driving up costs for passengers.
Congested airports have surged more than 25% in a decade
The number of the world's most congested, slot-restricted airports has jumped by over 25% in the last ten years, according to the white paper. ACI World projects global passenger traffic will nearly double by the mid-2040s, intensifying pressure on a capacity allocation system that has not evolved alongside industry growth.
ACI World director calls current rules a '1970s operating system'
"We are trying to run a 2026 aviation industry on a 1970s operating system," said Justin Erbacci, Director General of ACI World. He said inflexible rules and practices are preventing airports from adapting to modern passenger demand, offering competitive fares, or building resilient networks.
ACI urges regulators to negotiate a collaborative slot framework
ACI World is calling on regulators to engage directly with the aviation industry to redesign slot allocation before the capacity crunch worsens further. The association represents 811 members operating more than 2,200 airports across over 160 countries as of January 2026.