The aviation sector has been vociferous in calling for this to be done.

The government on Friday (26 February) introduced legislation to extend the airports’ slot allocation waiver through the summer programme.  What happens for the winter we will have to wait and see.

Transport secretary Grant Shapps said: “I want to restart international travel as soon as it is safe and the slots’ waiver is a critical part of making that happen.

“With airlines flying a smaller proportion of their usual schedules, the waiver means carriers can reserve their finances, reduce the need for environmentally damaging ‘ghost flights’ and allow normal services to immediately restart when the pandemic allows.”

Due to expire in spring, the legislation to extend the waiver will come into force from 26 March – two days before the start of the summer slot season. This will provide much needed flexibility, ensuring that airlines do not have to operate flights at least 80% of the time to retain their slots.

www.gov.uk/government/news/slots-waiver-extended-in-boost-to-uk-airlines