The Federal Government has this morning announced a raft of reforms aimed at cleaning up Sydney Airport’s troubled slot management system.
While the latest changes will not extend to existing curfew arrangements or movement caps at Sydney Airport, the government is looking to encourage more competition at the country’s largest airport by implementing regular audits on slot usage to crack down on anti-competitive behaviour.
The first audit will be carried out this year so that any misuse of slots will be uncovered and acted upon as soon as possible.
Government reforms will also look to modernise the compliance regime to include penalties that address anti-competitive practices, along with strengthened enforcement tools to watch airlines more closely and take effective legal action where necessary.
Under the changes, slot managers will also be required to consider giving NSW regional carriers priority when asking for peak period slots (7-11am/5-8pm).
MEANWHILE John Mullen has joined the Qantas Board as its Chairman Elect, where he will assume the role ahead of the company’s Annual General Meeting this October.
Nora Scheinkestel will also join the Board from 01 March.
More details in today’s issue of Travel Daily.