Airlines will have to make more use of their take-off and landing rights in the EU in order not to lose them. Representatives of the EU states agreed on Wednesday that, after exceptions due to corona, almost the standard use of the so-called slots should again apply for the winter season.
The background is EU 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 on Wednesday provides for a slightly reduced rate of 75 percent for the winter flight schedule, according to a statement by the Council of 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. As it was also said on Wednesday, the EU Commission should be able to change the regulations again if necessary, for example in a health crisis or because of the war. In addition, airlines could have unused slots credited in justified cases, it said. The agreement still has to be formally adopted by the EU countries, which is expected to happen on October 17th.