UK airlines welcome temporary suspension of 80:20 slot rules to help alleviate impact of Coronavirus – but further detail is required

March 11th, 2020

Commenting on the announcement from the European Commission that it will temporarily suspend the 80:20 slot rules to help the airline industry deal with the impacts of Coronavirus, Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, the industry body representing UK-registered airlines, said:

“UK airlines welcome the decision to temporarily suspend the ‘use it or lose it’ rule on airport slots, but we urgently need clarity that this will apply to all markets and for the duration of the summer season. Once this has been confirmed we would urge the UK’s slot coordinator ACL to implement the measures here and without delay. With Coronavirus significantly impacting demand it makes no sense to force airlines to fly empty aircraft, wasting money and fuel and damaging the environment. We urgently need this temporary suspension implemented to allow airlines to respond to demand properly and use their aircraft as efficiently as possible.”