Status: 17.10.2022 2:08 p.m
In order to retain take-off and landing rights, airlines in the EU will have to make more use of these slots in the future. With the winter flight schedule, the previous exception rules of the pandemic largely end. The EU states decided that.
Airlines have to make more use of their take-off and landing rights in the EU in order not to lose them. The member states agreed that after the previous corona-related exceptions, almost the standard use of the so-called slots should now apply again for the winter season.
Last week, the permanent representatives of the EU countries at ambassadorial level had already agreed on this approach. Now their bosses gave the formal green light.
75 percent in the winter flight plan
The background are rules that are intended to ensure fair competition: In order for an airline to be allowed to keep the important slots at popular airports, it must also use them. In fact, the rate is 80 percent. The agreement provides for a reduced rate of 75 percent for the winter flight schedule, according to a statement from the EU states.
In order to avoid empty flights, this rule was sometimes completely suspended by the EU Commission during the corona pandemic. With the normalization of air traffic, it was then gradually adjusted. It was also said that the EU Commission should be able to change the regulations again if necessary, for example in a health crisis or because of the war.