News: Fears raised over airport slot usage rules

Flights > News > # 2099 (10/03/2009)

Easyjet has urged the European Commission to ignore requests for a suspension of the rules governing slot usage at major airports.
A relaxation of the rules would prevent other European airlines from using scarce slots that would be freed-up by cutbacks expected for this year.
Last week the Association of European Airlines (AEA) called on the EU to allow member airlines to keep their slots for one year even if they do not use them.
But Easyjet asserts that under the EU’s so-called ‘use it or lose it’ rule, airlines can only keep their slots if they are used at least 80% of the time.
Easyjet’s chief executive, Andy Harrison, said: “This is not about protecting the industry; it’s about propping-up a few poorly-run, inefficient network airlines with out-dated business models that cannot adapt to the demands of modern consumers.
“A slot freeze helps inefficient, legacy airlines to hoard scarce resources from European airlines that are ready and willing to use them.”
He added that implementing such a measure would lead to fewer flights, and higher fares.