Airport slots for next season to be based on this season's usage: Govt

Usage of slots for more than 80 per cent of time in the previous winter season decides whether an airline would get the same slot again in the current winter season

Airlines will be able to secure airport slots in India for the next season only when they are able to use them for more than 80 per cent of time during the current season, the civil aviation ministry said on Thursday in its proposed change to guidelines.

The aviation market has two seasons: summer (April to September) and winter (October to March). According to Slot Allocation Guidelines, 2013, an airline is allocated airport slots for a season if it has used it for more than 80 per cent of time in the “previous equivalent season”. Therefore, according to the current