The United Kingdom has given reasons why Nigerian carrier Air Peace could not secure a slot to operate into London Heathrow through the window of the slot allocation system.
Investigation revealed that Air Peace sent late requests for slots for the Summer 2024 season and the Winter 2024/2025 season.
Besides, the airline’s requests were received after the slot coordination process had concluded for each season.
The UK authorities said carriers can ensure they are in the best position to receive any available slots by following the correct processes.
But, the UK authorities said it could interface with Nigerian authorities for further discussions at the upcoming International Civil Aviation Negotiations event this month.
According to the United Kingdom Government, all foreign and domestic airlines seeking slots at coordinated airports in the UK are required to apply to the independent slot coordinator, Airports Coordination Limited (ACL).
The government said ACL, allocates slots independently of the UK Government, using globally recognised guidelines and processes including the Worldwide Airport Slot Guidelines.
The government said the ACL is legally required to act in a neutral, transparent and non-discriminatory way that supports a competitive, independent market.
In a letter to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, his British counterpart, Secretary for Transport Rt. Hon. Louise Haigh , said the UK Government does not have any power to intervene in the slot allocation process of this body or to direct the coordinator on the allocation of specific slots.
He said the authorities will continue to welcome all carriers to the UK to support a competitive independent market , but , however, noted that allocation of slots, however, remains a matter for airlines to discuss with ACL.
The letter partly reads: “Thank you for your letter dated 1 August 2024 about the slot allocation system in the United Kingdom, received through the British High Commission in Abuja.
“The UK Government welcomes increased connectivity between Nigeria and the UK, including the start of Air Peace operations to London, from Lagos, earlier this year. The UK Government is always keen to see increased competition in international air transport, which delivers more choice for British and Nigerian citizens and businesses.
“All foreign and domestic airlines seeking slots at coordinated airports in the UK are required to apply to the independent slot coordinator, Airports Coordination Limited (ACL), which allocates slots independently of the UK Government, using globally recognised guidelines and processes including the Worldwide Airport Slot Guidelines.
“ ACL is legally required to act in a neutral, transparent and non-discriminatory way that supports a competitive, independent market.”
“The UK Government does not have any power to intervene in the slot allocation process of this body or to direct the coordinator on the allocation of specific
slots. We will continue to welcome all carriers to the UK and to support a competitive independent market – the allocation of slots, however, remains a matter for airlines to discuss with ACL.
“ I am aware that your officials received a detailed briefing from the UK Department for Transport in January 2024 – the UK’s system for the allocation slots has not altered substantially since then. London’s airports, especially Heathrow continues to be capacity-constrained with very few new slots available to be allocated to carriers.
“As you may be aware, Heathrow Airport is constrained by runway capacity and an Air Traffic Movement limit which places downward pressure on the number of slots available in any operating season. For example, for the Summer 2024 season, there were a total of 290,580 slots available; given the capacity
constraints, historic rights, and the growth ambitions of all carriers, the number of slots requested reached 319,721.
“ This means that carriers had unfulfilled requests for 29,141 slots, which were placed on to a waitlist to potentially receive slots returned to the pool.
Gatwick Airport is the second busiest airport in the UK, with many connections to Europe, Asia, and North America.
“ The airport benefits from a direct, mainline rail connection to the centre of London with connection times comparable to other London airports. Several carriers, from a range of nations, have developed substantial and successful operations to London at Gatwick Airport.
“The Department understands the position this puts new entrant carriers in. ACL advise that carriers have three options in this scenario: join the waitlist; choose to operate to another airport, as Air Peace have done; or acquire slots through slot trading and commercial arrangements with other carriers.”
The United Kingdom authorities urged Air Peace to continue to liaise with the ACL on the process for acquiring ad- hoc and historic slots for Summer 2024.
We encourage Air Peace to continue to liaise with ACL on the process for acquiring ad-hoc and historic slots at the UK’s coordinated airports.
The letter reads: “ Air Peace sent late requests for slots for the Summer 2024 season and the Winter 2024/2025 season; their requests were received after the slot coordination process had concluded for each season. Carriers can ensure they are in the best position to receive any available slots by following the correct processes.
“If your Ministry would like to further discuss this matter, officials from my Department will be at the upcoming International Civil Aviation Negotiations event in October 2024.
“We consider the social, economic and political links between our two countries to be vital. They rely on a vibrant air services market, which I hope we can continue to protect by working together.
“International connectivity is critical for the continued prosperity of our citizens and businesses, and I therefore very much appreciate your representations on behalf of Nigerian carriers.”
Source:The Nation
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