- Airport slots usage ratio for Summer 2023 will return to
80:20, meaning airlines will need to use their take-off slots 80%
of the time in order to keep them
- Return to 2019 rules will still retain some flexibility,
including a Justified Non-Use provision to prevent so-called
ghost flights
- Air travel is recovering following the pandemic, with
government continuing to support a return to business as usual
The UK Government has today (31 January 2023) laid regulations
before Parliament that brings airports slots rules for the
upcoming summer season back in line with pre-pandemic levels,
while retaining certain flexibilities to support the aviation
industry’s recovery.
From 26 March 2023, airlines will once again need to use their
slots 80% of the time in order to keep them – the ratio in place
before passenger numbers dropped as a result of the pandemic.
It’s a vote of confidence in the aviation industry as demand for
international travel returns – with passenger numbers at UK
airports reaching 85% of equivalent 2019 levels by October 2022.
The Government remains focused on reducing disruption and
ensuring a positive passenger experience for those taking a
well-earned break this summer. As part of that, airlines will be
able to hand back up to 5% of their slots before the start of the
season, to help plan realistic schedules and avoid last-minute
cancellations.
The Transport Secretary will announce the new measures during his
keynote speech at the Airport Operators’ Association’s (AOA)
annual conference today, where he is expected to say:
Today, I can confirm that slots rules will return to normal this
summer.
But we’re maintaining the safety net introduced during Covid....
and airlines can hand back 5% of slots to help minimise last
minute cancellations.
[…]
Now we’re able to start a new, more optimistic, conversation
about the future.
About an industry no longer constrained by outdated practices,
but modernising its infrastructure and operations.
No longer the poster child for environmental decline, but
committed to a future of sustainable flight.
And no longer at risk of becoming a diversity desert, but
attracting talent from all backgrounds.
These are just some of the areas where aviation has a golden
opportunity to move from recovery to renewal...
And I look forward to working with all of you to make that
happen.
Airlines will also continue to benefit from increased flexibility
over when they are justified not to use their slots, for example,
where either end of a route is affected by Covid restrictions.
This will reduce the risk of environmentally damaging so-called
“ghost flights” – empty planes flying just to make the slots
usage ratio.
A bit like parking spaces for planes, slots are used to manage
capacity at the busiest airports. A slot gives permission for an
airline to use the full range of airport infrastructure (runway,
terminal and gates, for instance) necessary to operate an air
service at an airport on a specific date and time.
To retain their slots for the next equivalent season, airlines
must use their slots a certain number of times – but during the
pandemic the usage ratio was reduced to provide relief to
airlines as they saw a drop in demand as result of Covid
restrictions. Without these alleviations, there would have been a
rise in “ghost flights”.
The decision follows a period of consultation with the sector on
how the Government can best support its recovery while ensuring
slots get used where demand allows.
