On Tuesday 12 July, the European Commission adopted a proposal aimed at easing certain obligations for airlines concerning, in particular, the use of airport slots (see EUROPE 12940/13).
Specifically, in the face of the impact of the health crisis and in the context of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, the Commission considers that the current slots are “not sufficiently robust to large-scale disruptions”.
As a result, the proposal adopted by the Commission intends to return to the normal slot utilisation rate – set at 80%, compared to 64% at present – while extending the possibility for airlines to use the ‘justified non-utilisation of slots’ tool put in place during the pandemic.
“Maintaining this tool will give us enough flexibility – an insurance policy – to act if the public health situation deteriorates further or even if we are faced with further fallout from the Russian war in Ukraine”, commented Transport Commissioner Adina Vălean.
Airlines, the Commission says, could use this tool in situations of “epidemiological emergencies, natural disasters or widespread political unrest with a disruptive effect on air transport”.
The Commission, for its part, could again decide to lower the ‘slot’ utilisation rate if the level of air traffic falls below 80% of the 2019 figures for four consecutive weeks.
In addition, the Commission also proposes the introduction of a 16-week recovery period before slot usage requirements revert to being applicable once Ukrainian airspace is reopened, or the possibility to adopt a delegated act to lower the utilisation rate on routes between the EU and Ukraine. (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)