Roberta Aguirre
Airports are categorised according to the level of demand and supply imbalance. A Level 3 airport is one where demand significantly exceeds the airport's capability, and all airlines and aircraft operators must be allocated a slot by an independent slot coordinator to arrive or depart. These slots are typically 20 minutes long and are highly sought-after at busy airports. As of summer 2022, there were 195 Level 3 airports worldwide, including John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in the US.
Characteristics of a Level 3 Airport
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Level 3 airports are airports where demand significantly exceeds airport capability. |
| Coordination | Level 3 airports require coordination to manage demand. |
| Slot Allocation | Slots are allocated by an independent slot coordinator, often a government aviation regulator. |
| Slot Trading | Allocated landing slots may have commercial value and can be traded between airlines. |
| Slot Conference | The Slot Conference is held twice a year to allocate slots and discuss schedules and adjustments. |
| Examples | John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) are examples of Level 3 airports in the US. |
| Number of Level 3 Airports | As of summer 2022, there were 195 Level 3 airports worldwide. |
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What You'll Learn
Level 3 airports are highly congested
Slots are typically administered in 20-minute windows and are crucial for keeping the airport running smoothly. They enable airports to handle more flights and passengers in a given day. Without these slots, there is a risk of too many aircraft taking off or landing simultaneously, causing consecutive delays. The number of slots available at an airport is limited by its infrastructure. For example, the number of times an airport can allow aircraft to take off or land each hour is finite.
The allocation of slots at Level 3 airports is a highly coordinated process. Globally, guidelines are set by the Worldwide Airport Slot Board, which consists of members from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Airport Council International (ACI), and the Worldwide Airport Coordinator Group (WWACG). The allocation process occurs twice a year, with the slot coordinators meeting individually with carriers to discuss their schedules for the upcoming seasons.
In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acts as the slot coordinator for Level 3 airports. As of 2022, there are three Level 3 airports in the U.S.: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). These airports have a high volume of domestic and international flights, contributing to their congested nature.
The congestion at Level 3 airports can lead to challenges and disruptions for passengers and airlines. Delays and cancellations may occur due to various factors, including shortages of skilled aviation workers. Additionally, the limited availability of slots can result in airlines operating ghost or empty flights to preserve their slot allocations, which can cause financial losses and pollution concerns.
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They require coordination to manage demand
Airports are categorised according to the level of demand and supply imbalance. Level 3 airports are those that are highly congested, where demand significantly exceeds the airport's capability. Coordination is required to manage demand and prevent consecutive delays caused by too many aircraft taking off or landing at the same time.
At Level 3 airports, an independent slot coordinator, often a government aviation regulator such as the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, grants permission for aircraft to use the airport's infrastructure for take-off or landing at a specific time and date. These landing or takeoff slots are crucial for keeping an airport operating efficiently, enabling airports to handle more flights and passengers in a given day.
Slots are allocated in accordance with guidelines set by the Worldwide Airport Slot Board, with input from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Airport Council International (ACI), and the Worldwide Airport Coordinator Group (WWACG). In some countries, airport operators are appointed as coordinators, despite being interested parties.
The slot allocation process can vary depending on the airport and the scheduling seasons. For example, at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), a Level 3 airport in the U.S., the slot allocation process occurs twice a year, once for the Winter season and once for the Summer season. During these slot-controlled hours, regularly scheduled operations are limited to 48 per hour by regulation.
To ensure coordination and efficient management of demand, carriers can use the AppCal calendar application to plan meetings with the relevant authorities and slot coordinators to discuss slot allocations, schedules, and any necessary adjustments.
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Slots are allocated to manage demand
Airports are categorised according to the level of demand/supply imbalance. Level 3 airports are the most congested, where demand often exceeds capacity. At these airports, all airlines and aircraft operators must have a slot allocated by an independent slot coordinator to arrive or depart.
Slot allocation is a highly consequential decision, affecting airlines, airports, consumers, and broader economies. It is an operational process, but slot policy is a strategic choice that shapes the aviation landscape.
A slot conference is held twice yearly, once for each scheduling season, to finalise slot allocations and allocate slots for existing and new airlines. The conference is convened to allocate slots at Level 3 airports and discuss schedules and potential schedule adjustments at Level 2 airports.
The Worldwide Airport Slot Guidelines (WASG) is a global standard that ensures certainty of access, flexibility to meet operational challenges and changing market needs, sustainability of costs, and transparency of allocation. While the slot allocation process works well at most airports, it is constrained by airport operating capacity and infrastructure. As air traffic grows and capacity constraints become more pressing, the impact of slot allocation will become more important.
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Slots can be traded between airlines
Level 3 airports are those where demand significantly exceeds airport capabilities. All airlines and aircraft operators must be allocated a slot by an independent slot coordinator to arrive or depart from the airport. These coordinators are often government aviation regulators, such as the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.
The ability to trade slots is beneficial for airlines as it allows them to build up their operations and increase competition. However, some argue that trading slots reduces competition and that slots should be owned by taxpayers as they are an asset shared by the people. The question of slot ownership is a complex one, with airports advocating for community interests and governments regarding a nation's airspace as a sovereign right.
Slot allocation is a critical aspect of airport management, particularly at busy airports, to control air traffic and maintain efficient operations. The current system has its faults, and other methods such as auction-based systems or congestion-based pricing have been proposed. However, a shift from the current system is unlikely to occur soon.
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The US has 3 Level 3 airports
Airports are categorized according to the level of demand/supply imbalance. A Level 1 airport has adequate airport capabilities to meet demand, and therefore no airport coordination is required. A Level 2 airport has the potential for congestion during some periods of the day, week, or season, and schedule adjustments are mutually agreed upon with the airlines.
A Level 3 airport, on the other hand, is a coordinated airport where demand significantly exceeds airport capabilities. All airlines and aircraft operators must be allocated a slot by an independent slot coordinator to arrive or depart. These landing or takeoff slots are permissions granted to use the airport's infrastructure at a specific time and date. Slots are typically administered by a government aviation regulator, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States.
At DCA, slot controls are in place pursuant to the High Density Rule, governing operations daily from 6:00 am to 11:59 pm. During these slot-controlled hours, regularly scheduled operations are limited to 48 per hour. LGA also has Level 3 slot controls in place pursuant to an FAA Order. The Slot Administration Office within the FAA is responsible for coordinating runway slots at these Level 3 airports.
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