Australia's Sydney Airport Demand Management Amendment Bill 2024 aims to modernize the 1997 Act governing airport slot allocation. Key changes include a stricter compliance regime with new civil penalties for slot misuse, increased transparency through mandatory information reporting and publication, and a revised Slot Management Scheme under ministerial control. The bill also introduces a controlled recovery period to mitigate weather-related delays, while preserving existing curfews and movement caps. Finally, it addresses human rights considerations, particularly concerning fair hearings and privacy related to information gathering and dissemination.

The Sydney Airport Demand Management Amendment Bill 2024 aims to improve the efficiency and resilience of Sydney Airport in several ways. Here are some key points:

●

Resilience During Disruptions: The bill introduces a "recovery period" that allows for a temporary increase in the hourly movement cap from 80 to 85 aircraft movements for up to two hours during significant disruptions like severe weather1. This will help reduce delays and clear backlogs caused by disruptions, enhancing the airport's operational resilience. However, this recovery period won't affect the existing curfew or daily movement cap2.

●

Efficient Slot Allocation: The bill seeks to improve the efficiency of slot allocation and usage. This includes tackling anti-competitive practices like slot hoarding and misuse3. The changes aim to ensure slots are allocated and used effectively throughout the day, preventing a concentration of flights during peak hours4. This is expected to reduce delays and optimize aircraft movements within the existing limits5.

●

Stricter Compliance and Transparency: The bill introduces a new set of civil penalty provisions to manage slot misuse56. This stricter compliance regime, aligned with the Worldwide Airport Slot Guidelines, will deter practices like failing to use allocated slots, no-slot movements, off-slot movements, and applying for slots without intending to use them356.

●

The bill also enhances transparency measures, requiring the publication of information about slot allocation, usage, and compliance78. The Minister will have the power to compel airlines to produce information, promoting accountability and informing consumers about airline performance8.

●

Improved Access for New Entrants: The bill intends to improve access to slots for new entrants, promoting competition in the market9. Changes to the Slot Management Scheme will reduce barriers to entry, increasing consumer choice and market dynamism. The bill also considers giving priority to regional NSW airlines requesting peak-period slots, improving connectivity for those communities9.

Overall, the bill aims to create a more efficient, transparent, and resilient system for managing demand at Sydney Airport. These improvements are designed to benefit both the aviation industry and consumers while maintaining community protections regarding noise and air traffic.

*Created with use of AI using NotebookLM (Deep dive voices) for educational purposes. Using New version based on Gemini 2.0.

**Source Parliament of Australia

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.