Incheon to host 2018 IATA Slot Conference

SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- Incheon has been chosen to host the 2018 International Air Transport Association (IATA) Slot Conference that aims to reach a consensus on schedule adjustments at air terminals around the world, a local airport authority said Sunday.

According to Incheon International Airport Corp. (IIAC), Songdo district in the port city west of Seoul has been tapped to host the gathering for the global trade association of airlines. The gathering is IATA's single largest event.

The association supports various areas of aviation activity and helps formulate industry policy on critical aviation issues. It represents airlines that make up the bulk of air traffic, with the Slot Conference designed to provide a forum for the allocation of landing and takeoff slots at airports and reach understandings on schedule adjustments necessary to meet airport traffic capacities.

Some 200 airlines and 60 aviation authorities will be represented at the meeting, IIAC said.

South Korea beat out Singapore, Oman and Spain to win the right to host the event that begins on Nov. 6, 2018, for a four-day run, it said.

The Slot Conference will take place as operations at Incheon International Airport's second passenger terminal go into full, allowing the country to advertise the airport to a greater number of airline industry leaders," a source said.

Construction of the second terminal at South Korea's main gateway airport in currently under way.

yonngong@yna.co.kr
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