High Court judge rejects Gatwick bid to block new runway slot rules

A High Court judge has refused Gatwick’s request for an emergency freeze on new relaxed rules on take-off and landing slots at major UK airports.

The UK government has temporarily reduced the “use it or lose it” slot usage requirement from the standard 80% to 70% because of disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which threatened jet fuel supplies.

The airport issued a legal challenge as it relies heavily on flights landing and taking off to generate fees.

As the Airports Slot Allocation Regulations 2026 officially took effect on Friday (June 19), Gatwick asked the court for an immediate emergency freeze to stop the new rule.

Mr Justice Chamberlain of the High Court refused the immediate freeze, ruling that the airport had not met the high legal threshold required for such emergency relief.

CityAM reported: “He noted on one of the grounds, Gatwick’s argument to prove the government acted completely ’irrationally’ during an urgent international situation is a very high legal hurdle.

“Additionally, as Gatwick is suing to protect its own profits, the judge noted it didn’t offer to pay for the financial damage it might cause others if it loses: ’It is surprising that the claimant did not offer any undertaking in damages’.

“When he pressed the airport giant, Mr Justice Chamberlain pointed out that Gatwick had offered to cap its liability at £1m and asked to freeze the rules only at Gatwick, but said that it was too complicated to decide without a proper hearing.”

A Gatwick spokesperson told Travel Weekly: “Currently there are no reported fuel shortages - we continue to monitor the situation closely and liaise with government and our airlines.

“We responded to the government’s four-day consultation in May to confirm that we believe the existing regulatory framework and slot rules are sufficient as they already provide airlines with flexibility to adjust schedules should there to be any verified and notable fuel shortage.

“We consider that the UK government’s actions in bringing in the regulations are at odds with the guidance and protections other countries are following.

“We have not taken the decision to instigate legal action lightly but feel we have no alternative means to highlight our concerns and work towards a reasonable and proportionate outcome.”

More: European airports body ‘strongly condemns’ UK slot usage waiver

Government unveils contingency plans for jet fuel shortages in UK