ACI World Demands Overhaul of 50-Year-Old Airport Slot System
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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.