Sydney Airport applauds the passage of legislation by the Albanese Government and parliament to reform the airport’s slot system—the first significant changes in 27 years.
The reforms will enhance passenger outcomes by improving reliability, boosting competition, and increasing choice. Key measures include a strengthened compliance regime with penalties for misuse of slots and a new recovery mechanism to reduce cancellations and delays during disruptions.
Sydney Airport is currently restricted to 80 aircraft movements per hour, with no flexibility to respond to delays caused by disruptions like bad weather. The new recovery mechanism introduces a temporary two-hour window permitting five additional movements per hour to be ‘caught up’ – helping to recover flights that would otherwise be cancelled.
Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton said: “This is a great outcome for passengers, the passage of this bill will help minimise cancellations and delays, and make air travel to and from Sydney more reliable.”
“We commend the Federal Government for seeing through a process that started with the Harris Review back in 2021. We would also like to thank and acknowledge the Coalition and crossbench for their constructive engagement with the legislation. It represents a win for common-sense and proves that sensible change is possible.
“Implementation is now the priority, and making sure the new regulations are developed and implemented as early as possible in the new year. The sooner we can get these changes put into practice, the sooner thousands of passengers can start to benefit from a more reliable and resilient aviation network.”
