“At Level 1 airports, schedule data collection is often seen as a straightforward administrative task. Airlines submit schedules, airports record the information and operations continue as normal. But as airports become increasingly dependent on data to support planning and decision-making, an important question emerges: who should manage the process?

The value of schedule data is directly linked to the confidence stakeholders have in it. Airlines, airport operators and regulators need assurance that information is being collected and managed fairly, consistently and without bias. An independent organisation provides that assurance by acting as a neutral party between all stakeholders.

For ACL, independence has been the foundation of our business for more than three decades. As the world’s largest independent airport slot coordinator, working with 80 airports globally, we understand that trust is often just as important as the data itself.

Independent data collection helps create transparency, builds confidence among stakeholders and removes any perception that information may be influenced by competing operational or commercial interests. The result is a process that stakeholders can trust.

At first glance, independence may seem like a subtle distinction. In practice, it is the foundation on which effective and credible data collection is built.”

Jon Rowell is Head of Commercial & People for Airport Coordination Limited, leading our commercial relationships with our 80 airport customers globally. Jon has worked in the aviation industry for nearly 40 years across commercial, operational and people disciplines, and brings that broad experience to building strong customer partnerships, supporting airport growth and developing ACL’s global business.