Brussels, 26/10/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has sent "recommendations" to independent coordinators responsible for managing the allocation of take-off and landing slots in European airports during the winter 2002/2003 season, it was announced on Friday by one of the Commission spokespersons. The aim is to allow airline companies to keep their traditional slots next year, even if they do not use them between now and then because of the flight reductions linked to the air transport crisis following the attacks on 11 September. The European slot regulation (95/93) provides for the slots unused by a company to be put back on the market, except in "exceptional circumstances" beyond the carrier's control. In its communication of 10 October on "the economic consequences of the attacks on the air sector", the Commission already felt that the carriers should be able to keep their time slots during the 2002 summer season. It specified that, if the current situation is lasting and significantly affects the 2002/2002 winter season, which is to begin 26 October, the Commission will examine whether it must continue this system in the light of justification given by the airline companies at that time. On 16 October, the Transport Council encouraged it along these lines. At the end of the day, the Commission felt that, to allow the airline companies to prepare their next season, it was in fact necessary to maintain this slot flexibility until the 2002/2003 winter. "Similar measures have been taken in Japan and the United States", stressed the spokesperson for Transport Commissioner Loyola de Palacio. But, he insisted, the last word will be up to the independent coordinators.