On Tuesday 26 April, the European Commission launched a call for input to update and extend the common rules for the allocation of airport slots in the EU (see EUROPE 12880/13), against the backdrop of an uncertain health situation and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In concrete terms, by updating the ‘slot’ allocation rules, the Commission intends to strike a balance between, on the one hand, the “need to provide relief” to airlines while the impact of the pandemic is still weighing on the sector and, on the other hand, reducing the distortion of competition that “can occur if airlines use slot relief to exclude the entry and expansion of other airlines”.
The Commission also specifies that the extension and updating of slot allocation rules should also serve to avoid airlines operating empty - or almost empty - flights just to keep their slots.
In addition, the Commission adds, the long-term impact of the rescheduling of a large number of slots - caused by the ban on EU airlines flying over Russian airspace - will also have to be taken into account. The contribution period will remain open until 24 May.
See the consultation: https://aeur.eu/f/1dz (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)