AIRLINE and airport groups have formed an alliance to request the European Commission to extend the slot waiver system over the winter season, reports London's Air Cargo News
AIRLINE and airport groups have formed an alliance to request the European Commission to extend the slot waiver system over the winter season, reports London's Air Cargo News. ACI EUROPE, Airlines for Europe, Airlines International Representation in Europe, IATA, and the European Association of Slot Coordinators have agreed to a set of conditions that include an extension of the waiver of the use-it-or-lose-it rule which can be applied for the entire 2020-2021 winter season.
'It is now critical that the European Commission formalises an extension of the slots waiver and clarifies how the conditions will be implemented. Industry and slot coordinators require a clear signal from the Commission as to the rules of the game for the coming winter season,' said the groups.
The rule was relaxed for the summer season so airlines would not lose their airport slot rights if they are unable to operate 80 per cent of their services according to schedule. Prior to the agreement, ACI and IATA had been in disagreement with everyone else over the extension.
Cargo carriers are disadvantaged by the rule as the ad hoc nature of the area makes it difficult for them to properly operate to a specific schedule. As a result, they've been facing issues when trying to obtain slots at congested airports.
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