New Regulation on Flight Time-Slot Management

The Minister of Transportation(“Minister”)has issued Regulation No. PM 57 of 2016 on Airport Slot-Time Availability(“2016 Regulation”), as a response to rapid growth within the aviation industry. [1] The 2016 Regulation redefines several provisions which relate to the allocation of flight time availability at airports, commonly known as slot times. [2] Prior to the 2016 Regulation, these same matters were controlled under the Ministry Regulation No. PM 13 of 2015 (“2015 Regulation”). [3] The 2016 Regulation is of relevance to all airport authorities and airline companies in Indonesia.Slot-Clearance OrganizationThe 2016 Regulation mandates that all airline companies should secure slot-time approval (slot clearance) as a requirement for the obtaining of a flight-route license or flight approval from the Minister. [4] An  airline company may not sell flight tickets before a flight-route license has first been obtained. [5] In order to organize and manage slot clearances, the Minister has established an organization comprising of two teams, namely: the Airport Slot-Time Organizer(“Organizer”)and the Slot-Time Coordinating Unit(“Unit”). [6] These parties are as described below: