The European Union (EU) has announced it will extend the waiver it earlier implemented governing the use of airport slots to help the aviation industry still reeling from the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

“Today's report shows that air traffic levels remain low, and more importantly, they are not likely to recover in the near future. In this context, the lack of certainty over slots makes it difficult for airlines to plan their schedules, making planning difficult for airports and passengers,” said European Transport Commissioner Adina Vălean.

“To address the need for certainty and responding to traffic data, I intend to extend the slot waiver for the 2020/2021 winter season, until 27 March 2021,” she added. 

With the relaxation of the 80/20 requirement,  which requires airlines to use 80% of the slots given to them, otherwise, they run the risk of losing them in the following calendar year, airlines could avoid operating “ghost flights” to keep their slots.

Similar waivers have been in place in other parts of the world.

Hong Kong announced earlier that it extended its slot waiver also until March 2021, and the Federal Aviation Authority also said it favors an extension of slot use waiver at US airports.

Meanwhile, the European Transport Commissioner prompted airlines to start thinking about returning to normal slot regime once air traffic picks up again, which she argued was important for efficiency and fair competition.

"Slots are not always relinquished in time for other users or airports to plan operations as they would like; competition may also be distorted if airlines seek to benefit by increasing their market presence without using their slots and airport capacity correctly," Vălean said.