Airlines in the UK will be obliged to use or lose their airport take off and landing slots with a return to the ’80-20’ rule this summer.
Carriers will have to hand back slots if they are not utilised 80% of the time during the summer flying season starting on March 26.
The ’80-20’ slot regulation was relaxed during the pandemic as strict International border restrictions led to a collapse in travel.
However, the government described the reintroduction of the pre-pandemic rules as a “vote of confidence” in the aviation industry as demand for international travel returns, adding that passenger numbers at UK airports returned to 85% of equivalent 2019 levels by October.
The revised rules confirmed today (Tuesday) include a new condition that will allow airlines to hand back up to 5% of their slots before the start of the season.
The government said this was to “help plan realistic schedules” and avoid the last-minute cancellations and disruption seen last summer.
The rules include additional flexibility to allow airlines not to use slots in some situations, such as new Covid travel curbs.
The Department for Transport said: “Airlines will also continue to benefit from increased flexibility over when they are justified not to use their slots, for example, where either end of a route is affected by Covid restrictions.
“This will reduce the risk of environmentally damaging so-called ‘ghost flights’ – empty planes flying just to make the slots usage ratio.
“A bit like parking spaces for planes, slots are used to manage capacity at the busiest airports. A slot gives permission for an airline to use the full range of airport infrastructure (runway, terminal and gates, for instance) necessary to operate an air service at an airport on a specific date and time.
“To retain their slots for the next equivalent season, airlines must use their slots a certain number of times – but during the pandemic the usage ratio was reduced to provide relief to airlines as they saw a drop in demand as result of Covid restrictions. Without these alleviations, there would have been a rise in ‘ghost flights’.”
The new measures are to be outlined by transport secretary Mark Harper in a speech to the Airline Operators Association annual conference.
He is due to say: “Today, I can confirm that slots rules will return to normal this summer. But we’re maintaining the safety net introduced during covid…and airlines can hand back 5% of slots to help minimise last minute cancellations.
“Now we’re able to start a new, more optimistic, conversation about the future. About an industry no longer constrained by outdated practices, but modernising its infrastructure and operations. No longer the poster child for environmental decline, but committed to a future of sustainable flight. And no longer at risk of becoming a diversity desert, but attracting talent from all backgrounds.
“These are just some of the areas where aviation has a golden opportunity to move from recovery to renewal. And I look forward to working with all of you to make that happen.”
Industry body Airlines UK said: “Airlines recognise that as passenger demand returns and we approach another busy summer then the slot rules must follow suit.
“Global recovery is still bumpy though and we’re not yet fully back to normal, so we welcome the additional flexibility around the justified non-use of slots so airlines aren’t punished by travel restrictions where and when these may be imposed.”