30/03/2020 (Agence Europe) – The amending regulation allowing the temporary suspension of EU rules on airport slots (see EUROPE 12445/3) will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union on Tuesday 31 March and should therefore, as announced after last week's European Parliament vote (see EUROPE 12456/17), enter into force on 1 April. The EU Council, using a written procedure concluded on Monday, definitively adopted the amendment to the EU regulation allowing airlines to derogate from the "80/20" rule. This derogation will apply from 1 March to 24 October 2020 and retroactively from 23 January to 29 February for flights between the EU and China or Hong Kong. It may be extended by a delegated act if the Commission deems it necessary: a report from the institution on the situation is expected by 15 September. (AC)