The aviation regulator has decided to change the way airline slots are agreed at Dublin Airport.
From summer next year, the airport will change from a 'schedules facilitated' to a 'coordinated' system. Under the current system, slots for departure and landing are agreed on a voluntary basis between airlines, facilitated by an independent coordinator.
Under the new system, the coordinator will allocate slots, and an airline may not operate unless in possession of a slot. The coordinator is appointed by the regulator.
The Commission for Aviation Regulation said today that the change had been made because there had been 'a significant increase' in the number of refusals by airlines to change their slot times when asked to do so by the facilitator.
Aer Rianta had originally asked for the change in 2002, and the regulator had twice rejected the request.
Dublin Airport welcomed the move, with director Robert Hilliard describing it as a positive step for passengers. 'Coordinated airports are better able to manage the peak arrival and departure times of aircraft, thereby easing some of the pressure on passenger facilities at those peak periods,' he said.
Aer Lingus said it was supportive of the decision as the current system was not working.
