Europe’s airline and airport associations have urged the European Commission to extend its suspension of EU slot rules after agreeing the terms for a waiver through to next year.
Airports association ACI Europe warned a failure to grant the waiver would “paralyse the winter-planning process” and increase uncertainty for passengers.
ACI Europe, Airlines for Europe (A4E), Iata and the European Association of Slot Coordinators (EUACA) have agreed airlines would temporarily surrender slots they do not plan to use this winter in return for an extended waiver.
They warned: “Uncertainty about a second wave of the pandemic and haphazard travel restrictions have caused passenger demand to plummet, making the need for an extended slots waiver more urgent than ever.”
Aviation groups have been lobbying furiously for a waiver of the EU’s 80:20 ‘use it or lose it’ rule on slots which requires airlines to use take-off and landing slots at capacity constrained airports 80% of the time or lose them.
The EU granted a waiver through the summer, but it expires next month.
In a statement, the associations said they had agreed conditions to ensure “a timely return of slots not planned for use this winter” which would allow the waiver to apply “for the entire 2020-21 winter season”.
They argued: “It is critical the EC formalises an extension of the slots waiver. Industry and slot coordinators require a clear signal as to the rules for the coming winter season.”
Confirmation the waiver will be extended would allow airlines and airports to plan winter schedules more in line with expected capacity after Iata warned this week of a growing gap between airline schedules and bookings, saying carriers are burning increasing amounts of cash.
However, low-cost carrier Wizz Air – which is not a member of Iata or A4E – broke ranks with the sector to urge the EU to drop the waiver. Wizz hopes to pick up abandoned slots, including at London Gatwick.
ACI Europe director-general Olivier Jankovec said: “Decisions must be made now to enable the timely return of slots for the winter season.
“This will give airports and airlines certainty in planning their schedules and operations and ensure passengers know what to expect. Further delays will paralyse the winter-planning process and add millions in costs for all parties.”
A4E managing director Thomas Reynaert agreed, saying: “Given constantly changing government restrictions, it is vital the winter schedules provide passengers with as much predictability as possible.”
Rafael Schvartzman, Iata regional vice-president for Europe, added: “Only a full-season slots waiver will ensure that flying empty planes is avoided.
“Airlines and airports call on the EC to endorse this agreement and authorise the waiver immediately.”