Slot crunch: Flights block time to be rationalised

New Delhi: The civil aviation ministry has started the process of streamlining the block time of scheduled flights amid slot constraints at various airports.

Block time refers to the time taken by a flight to travel from one point to another and is also a key factor for measuring On Time Performance (OTP) of flights.

The ministry's move assumes significance against the backdrop of slot constraints at various airports, especially those in metros, and disputes over OTP claims made by airlines.

"The process of block time rationalisation has started.

It is a process that will be taken up every time a slot allocation happens or when a schedule has to be approved," Civil Aviation Secretary R N Choubey said on Tuesday.

He noted that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had issued guidelines, which are free from "ambiguity", concerning block time.

"Any data fudging can happen when guidelines have ambiguity," he said, adding that block time should be the same irrespective of the airline.

According to Choubey, the ministry has asked the DGCA as well as authorities related to slot allotments and schedule approval to continually push for harmonisation of airlines' block time with the real block time.

"All busy airports are in focus. Slots may be difficult for an airport or during certain hours. Whenever there is slot allocation issue, then the block time (requirement) will be enforced strictly going forward," he said.

There have been instances where airlines have mentioned block time more than the actual time taken for particular travel.