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Air carriers will be entitled to the same series of slots during the summer 2010 scheduling season as were allocated to them during the summer 2009 season, even if they use them less than 80% of the time this year, according to the revised rules adopted by the Parliament.
Representatives of network airlines, consulted by Parliament’s rapporteur and chairman of the Transport Committee, Paolo Costa, said the suspension of the ”use it or lose it“ rule (which says that airport slots used less than 80% of the time are lost in the next season) is absolutely necessary in light of the sharp drop in demand. Airlines should not be forced to maintain operations at an uneconomical level in order to protect the slots, they told the rapporteur. Airline representatives also pointed out that the proposal would prevent European airlines from losing slots to major competitors in China, India and Japan, who benefit from substantial state aids.
European airports replied that the proposed rules are anti-competitive, as they would create a barrier to efficient airlines wanting to enter the market. They claimed that there are many airlines waiting to take up slots at all major airports in Europe. The proposed measure would thus prevent airports from using scarce capacity in the most efficient way.
Representatives of low-cost carriers, also severely hit by the crisis, expressed their fears that the measures will lead to fewer flights and higher ticket prices for consumers.
