The European Parliament has approved the introduction of a 75/25 slot rule for winter 2022/23, ahead of returning to the standard 80/20 ‘use it or lose it’ rule in summer 2023.
The UK government has outlined plans to offer a one-off “amnesty” on airport slots rules to help airlines minimize disruption during the northern summer season.
Director of network and airports Neil Slaven says the LCC is making far more in-season network changes than it did previously, stressing that the airline is ready to respond to airports with the lowest costs.
The European Commission had an unenviable task of trying to please incumbent airlines, airports and opportunistic LCCs when it came to establishing the slot measures for winter flights.
IATA has slammed the move to set the winter slot use threshold at 50%, but ACI Europe has described the decision as a “first and crucial step” in reinstatement of slot usage rights.