ACI (2004) Study on the use of airport capacity: An ACI EUROPE study, Airports Council International, European Region, May 2004

http://www.aci-europe.org/upload/ACI%20EUROPE%20study%20on%20the%20use%20of%20airport%20capacity%20-%20final.pdf. Accessed June 8, 2010

ACI EUROPE has conducted a survey with the purpose of understanding the factors affecting the use of airport capacity and to identify the priority areas for improvement. The key to this analysis is to consider the problems faced at congested airports where slots must be allocated to air carriers for the purpose of co-ordinating the use of airport infrastructure for flight arrivals and departures.

The current system determining the allocation of slots for the use of airport capacity, in the European Union, is governed by Council Regulation 95/93. Overbidding, late return of unwanted slots, and failure to operate allocated slots (the so-called no shows) are all factors contributing to inefficient airport capacity utilisation. This paper aims to investigate this problem and provide input for future EU policy on the optimum use of airport capacity. With that in mind, ACI EUROPE is examining the current situation with a view to developing clear recommendations to submit to the European Commission at this key stage.