Following the UK Government’s decision to waive the 80:20 ‘use it or lose it’ slot usage rule for the upcoming winter programme the European Commission has come up with similar 50% slot usage threshold for the same period.

This has been supported by Airports Council International Europe (ACI): “The aviation sector, having been brought to its knees by the pandemic, can and must now embrace and build upon the green shoots of recovery,” said Olivier Jankovec, the airport organisation’s Director General.

ACI Europe has also reiterated its call for a wider review of the slot regulation, which is 28 years old and according to the airport association wholly inadequate for today’s market.

Having published an independent review calling for reform just weeks before the pandemic took hold, the association points to the need to adopt new measures every season in the face of crisis as typical of the slot system failures.

Said Jankovec: “Once the effects of the crisis on aviation have been thoroughly evaluated and lessons learned, we look forward to engaging in a root-and-branch review of the Regulation to the benefit of all.”

Also see BTN 26 July Airport Co-ordination Ltd (ACL) backs Government on slots

www.aci-europe.org