Worldwide Scheduling Guidelines (WSG)
With the co-operation of airlines, airport coordinators and industry experts, IATA has developed the Worldwide Scheduling Guidelines, a comprehensive set of recommended procedures and priorities that are intended to provide guidance on managing the allocation of slots at congested airports on a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory basis. Regular editions are issued in response to changing circumstances worldwide after endorsement by all airlines attending the Head of Delegation meetings held during the Schedules Conference.
Review the latest WSG (pdf) edition
Scheduling Process
The prime objective of the Scheduling Process is to allow airlines to acquire, retain and exchange slots necessary to operate at a given airport. Through the allocation of slots, limited airport resources are efficiently used in order to maximise the benefits to the greatest number of airport users and to the travelling public.
Schedule Conferences are held twice each year - about four months prior to the start of the summer and winter scheduling seasons. Airport capacity limitations applicable for the season under discussion are declared before the Conferences by the appropriate authorities in consultation with airlines. Schedule coordination activities that occur prior to the start of Conference can be found in the WSG (pdf).
During the Conference, schedules are adjusted mainly through bilateral discussions between airlines and coordinators regarding alternatives offered, or between airlines to exchange slots offered or accepted. The entire process is based on consensus and aims to be flexible, fair and open.
Slot Allocation
The objectives in slot allocation are to minimize (in terms of the airlines as a whole) the economic penalties arising from any necessary schedule adjustments and to work out solutions to problems involving conflicting demands in an atmosphere of cooperation and goodwill.
The basic principle of the slot allocation process is historical precedence, sometimes called "grandfather rights". Historical precedence allows airlines to retain slots, which have been allocated to them, and operated by them in certain operating criteria, in the next equivalent scheduling period. For more information on historical slots see Sections 6.4 and 6.8 of the WSG (pdf).
Accreditation
IATA maintains a registry identifying who is legally authorised to complete slot transactions on behalf of an airline or airport. This process is known as “accreditation”. All participants in the scheduling process must be accredited.
- Airline Accreditation
The Head Representative for an airline in the Scheduling Process is known as an accredited representative. The accredited representative must be appointed by the Chief Executive Officer of the company by a duly signed form (doc) submitted to IATA. This authorization allows the head representative to bind its company in regards to any and all decisions taken within the specific scope of the Scheduling Process. This applies to all airlines, IATA members and non-members alike.
- Airport Accreditation
The Head Representative for an airport/central coordination agency in the Scheduling Process is known as a Head Coordinator/Facilitator. The Head Coordinator/Facilitator must be appointed by the appropriate regulatory organisation by a duly signed communication submitted to IATA. This authorization allows the Head Coordinator/Facilitator to bind its organisation in regards to any and all decisions taken within the specific scope of the Scheduling Process.
The Head Representative may appoint staff with binding authority (accredited alternates/coordinators/facilitators) or without binding authority (support staff).
- All appointments remain in effect until revoked by written notice.
- Reconfirmation of accreditation is mandatory twice per year at the onset of the Schedules Conference registration process.
Independent of the scheduled reconfirmation process, Head Representatives should inform IATA of all changes to their accreditation list as soon as they are known.
Slot Portfolio Management
Within an airline, Slot Portfolio Management is usually performed by the Scheduling Department or the Network Planning Group. Key tasks consist of
- securing and conserving slots that will enable an airline to maximise its network efficiency
- keeping track of slot utilisation
- reviewing slot performance with the different coordinators.
For an airline, given their network, this undertaking may require the use of sophisticated tools. Various solutions are available from IT providers, many of which attend the Schedules Conference as exhibitors.
Previous Conference Exhibitors Guide.
Airline slot managers and airport coordinators are in constant communication with each other. Communication specific to slots are done using the standard found in Chapter 6 of the SSIM.
Training in Schedulling Process and Slot Transactions
IATA offers three courses designed to give a better understanding of the process of airline scheduling, airport coordination and slot allocation:
1 - Introductory training in scheduling and airport slot coordination is intended for both airline slot managers and airport coordinators.
Key topics include:
- Introduction to the WSG
- European Economic Community Regulation
- Introduction to Standard Schedules Information Manual (SSIM)
- SSIM Chapter 6 – Message format
- Roles involved in the slot coordination process
2- Advanced training in scheduling and airport slot coordination is intended for airline slot managers.
Key topics include:
- Advanced Filings and Complex Slot Changes
- Changing Many Schedules without Loosing Present Opportunities
- Analysis of Historic Eligibility
- Analysis of Airport Capacity
3- Advanced Coordinator training in scheduling and airport slot coordination is intended for Coordinators who already know the basic techniques of the slot coordination process and regulations.
Key topics include:
- Learn the basics of a terminal capacity analysis
- Understand slot monitoring criteria
- Learn how to calculate the ‘use it or lose it’ rule and create the SHL
- Processing Initial submissions and the allocation of slots based on priorities
Airport Coordination
Read about Airport Coordination, Airport Levels, Special Procedures, and Coordinator’s association
Contact:
Head of Airport, Inflight & Scheduling
IATA
33 Route de l'Aeroport
P.O. Box 416
CH-1215 Geneva 15 Airport
Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 770 2738
Fax: +41 22 770 2926