European airports body ‘strongly condemns’ UK slot usage waiver

The body representing European airports has “strongly condemned” the UK government’s decision to introduce airport slots usage alleviation “despite the absence of any demonstrated jet fuel shortage”.

The UK government announced the plan earlier this month in an attempt to give travellers greater confidence this summer and minimise last-minute flight cancellations.

Olivier Jankovec, director general of ACI Europe said: “We support targeted airport slot usage alleviation, where there is clear and documented jet fuel shortage.

“But no such evidence currently exists – neither in the UK nor elsewhere in Europe.

“The UK government is effectively handing airlines a carte blanche to cut services and not deliver their schedules, leaving passengers, communities and airports to bear the full brunt.”

ACI Europe said the UK government is providing airlines with “significant commercial flexibility to cancel flights at will – with the costs fully to be borne by passengers and other industry stakeholders, including airports”.

It warned regional airports are likely to be the most exposed, as routes feeding into hubs are generally less lucrative for airlines.

The ACI Europe statement added: “The fact that the draft legislation permits returned slots to be reallocated is a welcome – albeit revealing – concession. If other airlines are willing to operate these slots, this clearly demonstrates that demand exists and that the measure is not about operational necessity, but rather about shielding incumbent carriers from commercial risks while transferring that risk onto others.”

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