Coalition of UK airports urge government to restore slot rules

A coalition of London Gatwick (LGW), Belfast (BFS) and Edinburgh (YEG) airports and Wizz Air are urging the UK to reinstate the ‘80/20’ ‘Use it or Lose It’ airport slot rules to aid their recovery and ensure a better deal for passengers.

They argue that reintroducing the rule now will allow UK consumers to once again benefit from a greater choice of destinations and airline, as well as efficient and fair pricing. 

Airport slot rules provide these benefits to consumers by ensuring that the aviation market is competitive by incentivising airlines to fly, trade or hand back unused airport slots so that other airlines can fly them instead – including new market entrants.

London Gatwick’s chief commercial officer, Jonathan Pollard, said: “In our view its imperative that the UK government gets fully behind the recovery of the UK aviation sector by restoring the slot rules so that competition once again flourishes for both the benefit of industry and the consumer.  

“A continued slot waiver would be a disproportionate response to market conditions. A decision on the summer 2022 slots before Christmas would allow proper planning of resources to enable a smooth ramp up of operations as the industry continues its recovery.” 

The coalition recognises that slot regulations had to be suspended during the pandemic but are urgently calling for their reinstatement for the vital summer 2022 season when passenger numbers are expected to rise, following successful vaccination campaigns and the removal of many travel restrictions. 

The letter also focuses on examples of the potential negative impact on consumer, including reduced choice of destination and airlines, and says that competition issues have already been raised with the CMA – the UK’s competition watchdog.  

Relevant authorities in other markets have all reinstated some discipline in slot regulations, ensuring fair usage of infrastructure and encouraging the restoration of connectivity.

China’s domestic aviation is now above pre-pandemic capacity levels and the US domestic market has been close to 90% of normal capacity since June.  The rest of Europe is also growing back strongly, with France, Italy and Spain already at 78%, 79% and 83% of 2019 capacity levels, respectively, while the UK continues to lag behind at 63%.  

Also underlined in the letter is that the restoration of discipline in Europe’s airport slot regime has not led to ghost flights (flights carrying no or few passengers) but has in fact supported the restoration of connectivity to the benefits of passengers and businesses. 

Belfast International Airport’s managing director, Graham Keddie, noted: “The successful vaccination campaigns and the subsequent easing of border restrictions has allowed the market to recover; meaning that passengers can book with confidence.  We are therefore calling upon government to restore the slot rules.

“This will allow the industry to rebuild while ensuring passengers have choice by creating opportunities for potential new entrants to market.”