Dubai Airports clears air on slots for Indian carriers

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Dubai Airports clears air on slots for Indian carriers

Dubai - The announcement follows news in the Indian media that Indian airlines may be able to get slots of their choice at the airport in Dubai.

By Staff Report

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Published: Thu 24 Nov 2016, 1:28 PM

Last updated: Thu 24 Nov 2016, 6:11 PM

Dubai Airports issued a statement on Thursday to clear the air on inaccurate reports related to slot allocation for Indian carriers at the world's busiest international airport, Dubai International (DXB).

"It's important to understand that the assignment of traffic rights via bilateral agreements and slot allocation are two discrete processes'" explained Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports.

"Traffic rights are negotiated between governments. Slot allocation is managed separately by an independent organisation at arm's length and in accordance with international guidelines established by the International Air Transport Association," he said.

Specifically, Dubai International's slots are allocated by an independent slot coordinator, Airport Coordination Limited (ACL), in accordance with IATA guidelines. ACL conducts slot allocation activities at other major international airports around the world as well."

The announcement follows news in the Indian media that Indian airlines may be able to get slots of their choice at the airport in Dubai, and the country's aviation ministry would discuss the same with Emirati counterparts.

Economic Times quoted a senior aviation ministry official as saying that Indian carriers had complained about not being given favourable time slots at Dubai airport.

"Dubai International is the busiest airport for international passenger traffic in the world, with 90 carriers connecting the airport to more than 240 global destinations with high demand for a limited supply of slots," added Griffiths.

"We welcome the expansion of the flying rights between India and Dubai. Despite the competitive slot situation, Indian carriers continue to grow services, operating more frequencies than Dubai-based airlines between Dubai and India. There is clearly demand for more seats and we are confident that the airlines operating on these routes will take up more seat capacity, if agreed by Dubai and India, and reap the benefits of that growth," Griffiths said.


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