Airlines criticize EU plan airport slots.
The EU’s plan to begin restoring competition in airport slots next year was criticized on Wednesday by major airlines, which warned that it could lead to a return of empty “ghost flights.
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The suspension of rules governing take-off and landing rights at occupied airports, introduced at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, has become more divisive. Low-cost airlines are eager to see a return to regular rules requiring incumbents to use 80% of their slots or surrender some to their rivals.
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The European Commission’s proposal would restore the “use-it-or-lose-it” rule for the summer season from March 2021, but with a lower threshold of 40%.
Transport Commissioner Adina Valean said the plan announced on Wednesday would “strike a balance” between fair competition and relief for airlines affected by the drop in travel.
“The effect of the current exemption is to freeze competition at 2019 levels without any requirement that capacity be actually used efficiently. It is time to establish a path to return to a normal ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ application,” Reuters reported.
From the aviation industry groups led by the airline agency IATA said that the EU plan “does not sufficiently address the scope of the continuing air transport crisis,” and called on governments and European parliamentarians to intervene.
Unless it is amended, “could lead to airlines being forced to operate ‘ghost flights’,” they said in a statement.
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