The Board of Airline Representatives in the UK has quashed fears that a recent High Court ruling would lead to powerful carriers buying up all desirable airline slots.
The High Court ruled that slots could be traded for money after the Guernsey Transport Board brought a case complaining KLMUK had acted illegally when it sold its Heathrow-Guernsey slots to British Airways last year.
BAR UK chief executive Peter North said small airlines had nothing to fear by the decision.
“Small carriers are not under pressure to sell if they have viable slots.
“However, if they sell them, they are declaring that they want to get out of business,” he said.
North said the ruling would make it easier for smaller carriers which have undesirable slots to trade up over time.
GTB chief executive Richard Kirkpatrick said a decision on whether to appeal would be made at the end of the week.
“We were very disappointed with the ruling and are seeking legal advice,” said Kirkpatrick.
BA has 4,600 slots at Heathrow and Gatwick, which are not given a value in the carrier’s report and accounts. However, when a price is put on the slots it makes the carrier worth around an extra ú3bn.