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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Sarah Basford Canales and Elias Visontay

Controversial Sydney airport slot system faces government crackdown

Qantas and Virgin planes at Sydney airport.
Critics say legislation that governs Sydney airport provides incentives for airlines to schedule then cancel certain services. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

Airlines that strategically cancel flights to block competition at Sydney airport could face civil penalties as the Albanese government moves to crack down on the Qantas-Virgin duopoly.

A new bill, to be introduced on Wednesday, will focus on Sydney airport’s controversial slot allocation system, which restricts the airport to 80 takeoffs and landings per hour – known as slots. An overnight curfew to minimise noise further limits flight numbers.

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