Brussels, 07/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - Meeting in plenary on Thursday 7 April, the European Parliament adopted by a large majority (508 to 20 and 7 abstentions) the report by Paolo Costa (ALDE, Italy) confirming the compromise found with the Council regarding the attribution of airport slots (see EUROPE 9891). In order to face up to the crisis affecting the sector, air companies will benefit from temporary relaxing of time slot attribution rules, which will allow them to keep the same slots in summer 2010 as were attributed in summer 2009, independently of the level of operation. MEPs agree that, should the economic situation of airlines continue to deteriorate during the winter 2009/2010 season, the Commission may propose to renew the arrangements for the winter 2010-2011. The proposal would have to be preceded by a full impact assessment and come within general revision of the rules governing attribution of time slots (Regulation 95/93). (A.By./transl.jl)