Brussels, 13/03/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 10 March, the European Commission adopted a proposal for an amendment to the “slots” Regulation for airlines. It proposes the temporary suspension (from April to October 2009) of the rule which states that an airline has the right to keep its slots from one season to the next provided 80% of these slots were used. Companies currently feel obliged to keep operating simply so as not to lose their takeoff and landing rights at set times from one year to another, when, in fact, in the crisis in the aviation sector, it would make more sense to reduce capacity, the Commission said. Freezing the 80% rule would allow airlines to reduce their activity without losing their slots. Carriers will, thus, have access in the 2010 summer season to the same slots they had in summer 2009, regardless of whether or not they used them. A similar measure was operated in 2001-2002 and in 2003, the Commission points out, indicating, however, that depending on how serious the situation appears as the 2009-2010 winter season approaches, it may decide to renew all or part of the scheme. (A.B./transl.rt)