The European airports association has backed plans to reinstate standard slot usage rules from the winter.
Airlines will be required to use airport slots they have been allocated for 80% of the time in order to keep them during the following corresponding season – putting an end to successive slot waivers that have remained in place since the start of the pandemic in spring 2020.
The return to the so-called 80:20 usage rule is consistent with the dynamic air traffic recovery under way, according to ACI Europe in response to the European Commission’s proposal. It is currently 64% for the summer 2022 scheduling season at the Continent’s airports.
The change reflects the need to shift from protecting airport slot portfolios of incumbent airlines to promoting an effective use of airport capacity and the restoration of Europe’s air connectivity now that Covid-19 travel restrictions have been largely eased or abolished, according to ACI Europe.
The airport’s body also supported flexibility the Commission proposed to extend ‘justified non-use of slots’ provisions created during the pandemic, which will still allow airlines to keep hold of airport slots they cannot use due to remaining travel restrictions on specific markets or to the war in Ukraine and related international sanctions.
If adopted, the ‘relief provisions’ will apply from the start of the winter season on October 30 and last until 26 March 26, 2024, when air traffic is estimated to have reached full recovery, according to the Commission.
Transport comissioner Adina Valean said: “Demand for air traffic is clearly back, and the time has come to return to normal slot use rates to ensure the efficient use of airport capacity, with fair and competitive access for airlines, to the benefit of passengers.
“But we must make sure we are better prepared for the unexpected.
“The ‘justified non-use of slots’ clause has provided us with a particularly effective tool to manage crisis situations.
“Maintaining this tool will give us sufficient flexibility – an insurance – to act in case of a new deterioration of the public health situation, or indeed if we are faced with further fallout from the Russian war in Ukraine.”
ACI Europe director general Olivier Jankovec said: “Airports understood and accepted the need for slot waivers for airlines during the pandemic.
“But there is no question these waivers also came with forgone connectivity and forgone revenues for airports.
“Going back to the normal slot usage rule while still giving airlines the flexibility and protection they need when faced with travel restrictions or the impact of the war on specific markets is the right thing to do now that air traffic is finally recovering.
“We urge the EU Council and the European Parliament to support this Commission proposal and expedite its approval.”