Brussels, July 13 (BNA): The European Commission on Tuesday proposed making the bloc’s “use it or lose it” airport rules more flexible in order to respond to unexpected developments in the future, such as a pandemic or war. .
Airlines normally have to use 80% of their designated slots at airports to avoid losing them to competitors, but the European Union CEO suspended the rule during the COVID-19 crisis and set the cap at 64% for the summer 2022 season, Reuters reported.
The Commission announced on Tuesday that the standard 80% slot use rate will return on October 30, while extending the possibility of applying the “No Justified Use of Slots” (JNUS) exemption created during the pandemic.
“Maintaining this instrument will give us sufficient flexibility – insurance – to act in the event of a new deterioration in the public health situation,” Transport Commissioner Adina Valian said in a statement.
Under the proposal, which will need approval by the European Parliament and EU governments, airlines will be allowed to use the waivers due to health emergencies, natural disasters or political unrest.
The commission will be able to reduce the utilization rate if air traffic drops below 80%, compared to 2019 figures, for four consecutive weeks due to COVID-19 or as a result of the war in Ukraine.
The EU executive said he is also proposing measures to mitigate the consequences of the Ukraine war and restore EU-Ukraine air connectivity when possible, including a 16-week payback period before requirements for using the slots become applicable again.
MI