The RAAA broadly supports the government’s proposed legislation recognising that the bill intends to increase efficiency of aircraft movements within the current movement caps. The bill also seeks to address any potential anti-competitive behaviour by producing a stricter compliance regime around the slot allocation to reduce the potential for slot-hoarding and slot-misuse.
On closer examination the proposed reforms to increase Sydney Airport’s operational resilience by introducing a strictly controlled recovery period will help reduce delays when there is severe weather or other major disruptions. In a recovery period up to 85 aircraft movements per hour will be allowed
Whilst the proposal is that the Airservices Australia will be able to temporarily permit an extra five movements per hour for a maximum of two hours following the disruption, the RAAA strongly urges the government to increase the proposed five movements up to the airports operating capacity which is closer to 100 aircraft movements per hour, and for long as is required even if it is greater than the proposed two hours. It would be far more useful to the travelling public and the airlines if the additional capacity could be allowed until any substantial delays are fully recovered.
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