UK Alleviation related to fuel related issues: Update on permitted slot returns for NW26

03/09/26

ACL guidance on UK Alleviation related to the fuel situation has been updated to include the number of permitted slot returns for Northern Winter 2026 (NW26).

The UK Government amended the Slot Regulation to permit additional alleviation to manage potential fuel shortages at UK Level 3 Coordinated Airports.

For NW26, carriers are permitted to return 10% of slots subject to certain criteria. The first 5% are to be returned to the coordinator by 15 November 2026.

A further 5% is permitted to be returned before 14 March 2027.

For Northern Summer 2026, carriers can return up to 5% of slots if they are returned before 11 October 2026.

ACL Guidance related to this alleviation can be found here

LHR S26 Sanction of British Airways

02/09/26

ACL sent a Notice of Final Decision to British Airways on 18th August 2026 notifying them that, pursuant to Regulation 16 of the Airports Slot Allocation Regulations, ACL had decided to impose a financial penalty in respect of 17 significantly off-slot operations during Summer 26 at London Heathrow Airport. Please click here

Behind the Scenes at a Slot Conference

10/08/26

For ACL Coordinator Jamie Whyte, slot conferences are one of the most rewarding aspects of his role, bringing together airlines, airports and aviation professionals from across the globe.

“Everyone is there for the same reason – to plan, discuss challenges and make sure future schedules work as effectively as possible.”

While the conference itself may only last a few days, months of preparation take place behind the scenes. Coordinators work closely with airports and airlines, reviewing requests, assessing capacity and preparing for countless discussions ahead of the event.

“There’s a lot more preparation involved than people realise. The conference is the visible part, but there’s a huge amount happening before you even get there.”

Once the conference begins, the pace quickly intensifies. Meetings run back-to-back throughout the day as airlines and airports discuss schedules, capacity constraints and plans for the season ahead.

“You’re helping people understand what’s possible, what’s challenging and what options might be available. Sometimes it’s about finding solutions, and sometimes it’s about helping everyone understand the bigger picture.”

These conversations provide valuable insight into the priorities and challenges faced by different stakeholders across the aviation industry.

“You get to hear directly from airports and airlines about what they’re dealing with. It gives you a much broader perspective than you can get from a screen.”

For Jamie, the opportunity to travel is a major highlight of the conference and was one of the reasons he was initially drawn to the role. Coordinators can make the most of visiting destinations they might not otherwise have the chance to experience.

“The travel is a huge benefit of this role with ACL. If you’re travelling halfway across the world for a conference, being able to add a bit of personal time onto the trip and experience a new city or culture makes it even more rewarding. It’s great that we have the flexibility to do that.”

For Jamie, that combination of technical expertise, relationship building and international travel is what makes slot conferences so unique.

While attendees may see a busy schedule of meetings, for coordinators it represents the culmination of months of planning, collaboration and industry engagement. Much of the work happens behind the scenes, but it plays a vital role in helping airports and airlines prepare for successful future seasons.

Special Event Coordination: Hajj 2026

29/07/26

Supporting Hajj is a powerful example of ACL’s expertise in Special Event Coordination. Let’s take a moment to reflect on the incredible scale, complexity and global collaboration required to support one of the world’s largest annual gatherings.

Our team were working for seven months behind the scenes, managing significant demand from airlines while aligning with strict regulatory requirements and carefully controlled capacity at the Hajj Terminal in Jeddah Airport.

This year’s operation saw:

• 4,949 Hajj charter slots and 989,567 seats coordinated
• 59 airlines involved
• 67 countries connected
• All coordinated against 893 quota constraints

Together, the team processed all Hajj-related slot messages alongside an additional surge in slot messages and enquiries related to the recent Middle East conflict, and delivered the operational arrival phase alongside the NW26 initial coordination period. The scale of the operation is immense, with tightly managed quotas governing both aircraft movements and passenger volumes, all set in collaboration with GACA (General Authority of Civil Aviation) Saudi Arabia and the airport operator. Every request must be carefully handled, with no margin for error, and systems configured to reflect the unique nature of Hajj operations, from dedicated charters to adapted scheduled services.

We also recognise the exceptional work of the Matarat airport teams and wider partners in Saudi Arabia. The organisation and management of the Hajj Terminal, and the wider infrastructure that supports the movement of pilgrims, is unlike any other airport operation.

Events like this demonstrate our ability to manage highly complex, high-pressure scenarios, work closely with international partners, and deliver coordinated solutions for events of global significance.

Well done to everyone involved – let’s get ready for Hajj 2027!

Middle East airport flight cancellations running at 35% for May

06/05/26

Leading airport slot manager, Airport Coordination Limited, says 35% of take-off and landing slots during May have been cancelled across the 30 Middle East airports it serves in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia and Oman.

This is down on the 54% cancellation rates experienced in through March and April with services at United Arab Emirates airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi most impacted by the US-Israel war on Iran.

CEO Neil Garwood says: “May already shows 35% of slots cancelled although the actual outcome will be dependent on events.

“The airports furthest from Iran, such as those in western Saudia Arabia, are less affected.”

ACL manages slots at 80 airports in the Middle East, United Kingdom, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Garwood says the conflict has caused significant collateral damage in all these markets with surging jet fuel prices and limited supply prompting airlines to raise airfares and cut flights.

“We’ve been tracking airports across 11 countries since the start of hostilities that have experienced varying degrees of disturbance,” Garwood says.

At Sydney Airport, where ACL manages the slots, cancellations for flights to and from the Middle East were 60% in March, increasing to 67% during April.

For May, Middle East slot cancellations at Sydney are currently 32%, a number that may increase during the month.

At London’s Heathrow Airport, where ACL also manages the slots, air transport movements to and from the Middle East fell 47% during March while passenger numbers for the month slumped 51% over the previous year according to airport data.

Middle East slot cancellations at Heathrow during May are, like Sydney, at 32%.

ACL’s Garwood says communication between airlines and the slot manager is crucial during a fast-moving crisis.

“Operators want early clarity around whether their future slot allocation will be protected if they cancel to help with planning and route workarounds,” he says.

“ACL issued tailored guidance to assist airlines with how they could respond to the events within the rules and regulations of each jurisdiction and worked with industry bodies to harmonise this where possible.

“We’ve seen airlines be agile about recycling slots for different purposes. For example, avoiding the Middle East region and putting extra flights on routes as demand patterns change.”

As fighting in Iran and Lebanon has subsided, Garwood says the focus is now on fuel supply and its impact on cancellations.

UK Slot Alleviation Fuel Shortages Update

06/05/26

The UK Government announced over the weekend its intention to manage potential fuel shortages, including allowing airlines to return slots and receive alleviation for NS26.

While the Government has set out its policy intent, any alleviation can only be applied once the UK Slot Regulation is formally amended. A short, targeted industry consultation is expected to take place, after which the Government will finalise the detail and lay a Statutory Instrument before Parliament.

ACL will prepare guidance in readiness for publication once the regulation is amended. Until that point, airlines are advised not to return slots that they intend to seek alleviation for under this announcement and to wait for the amended regulation and accompanying ACL guidance.

Official Government Release

ACL publishes sixth consultation on the Misuse of Slots Enforcement Code

09/02/26

The consultation is now closed and we are reviewing responses with a view to updating the Code for issue during the Winter season.

Airport Coordination Limited (ACL) has published a consultation on proposed updates to the Misuse of Slots Enforcement Code. The Code sets out how ACL applies the enforcement provisions of the Airports Slot Allocation Regulations at coordinated UK airports.

The Enforcement Code supports the fair and transparent use of airport capacity by setting out how different types of slot misuse are addressed under the regulatory framework. This consultation includes proposed amendments to update regulatory references, clarify definitions and suggest additional examples of misuse within the Code.

This latest review considers the Code’s effectiveness from its application and reflecting feedback from airports, airlines and other stakeholders. The consultation provides an opportunity for interested parties to comment on the proposed changes.

How to Respond

The consultation has been extended to 31 May 2026.
Full details of how to respond are included in Section 4 of the consultation document.

Consultation Documents

Consultation Document

Appendix 1

Appendix 2

Stakeholders seeking further information can contact ACL at: consultation@acl-uk.org

BHX S25 Sanction of TUI Airways

11/12/25

ACL sent a Notice of Final Decision to TUI Airways on 21 November 2025 notifying them that, pursuant to Regulation 16 of the Airports Slot Allocation Regulations, ACL had decided to impose a financial penalty in respect of two operations without a slot during Summer 2025 at Birmingham International Airport. Please Click Here

LHR S25 Sanction of British Airways

11/12/25

ACL sent a Notice of Final Decision to British Airways on 29th October 2025 notifying them that, pursuant to Regulation 16 of the Airports Slot Allocation Regulations, ACL
had decided to impose a financial penalty in respect of two no-slot operations during S25 at London Heathrow Airport. Please Click Here

LHR S25 Sanction of Emirates

08/12/25

ACL sent a Notice of Final Decision to Emirates on 24th November 2025, notifying them that, pursuant to Regulation 16 of the Airports Slot Allocation Regulations, ACL had decided to impose a financial penalty in respect of 13 operations in a significantly different way during Summer 25 at London Heathrow Airport. Please click here