Quick Facts
- Type
- Airport Coordination
- Definition
- A designated time window at a capacity-constrained airport during which an ai...
- Used By
- Airlines, ATC
Definition#
An airport slot is a scheduled time allocation granted to an airline to operate a takeoff or landing at a slot-controlled (level 3) airport. Slots are allocated by a slot coordinator based on IATA Worldwide Scheduling Guidelines.
Why It Matters Operationally#
At congested airports (JFK, LHR, HND), slots are scarce and extremely valuable — sometimes worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Losing a slot due to underuse ("use it or lose it" rules) is a major financial risk.