Airlines
Network Airlines Lobby To Keep Slot Rule Waivers in Place
As authorities consider reimposing “use it or lose it” rules, carriers again consider the possibility of operating “ghost flights” to keep their slots.
A Virgin Atlantic Airbus A330-300 takes off from Manchester Airport in the UK. (Photo: Flickr: Creative Commons (BY-SA) by Riik@mctr)
A Virgin Atlantic Airbus A330-300 takes off from Manchester Airport in the UK. (Photo: Flickr: Creative Commons (BY-SA) by Riik@mctr)

As the European Commission considers reimposing slot usage requirements, airlines have resumed efforts to lobby against any attempt to reinstate even a portion of the so-called “80-20 use it or lose it” rule on the continent and similar regulations worldwide. The rule, which before the pandemic required airlines to use at least 80 percent of their slots or risk losing them to competitors, remains lifted for the time being as a way to protect hub carriers' networks amid Covid-19 travel restrictions. However, the EC now has begun considering partially restoring the rule with a 60 percent use threshold for the winter season.