European Council member states reached an agreement for a 75% slot use requirement to apply during winter 2022/2023 season, as well as a waiver to ensure the EU "properly responds to the current situation in the field of air transport."
Under the agreement, the European Commission is able to modify the rule through temporary measures, in the case of urgent need stemming from an epidemiological crisis or Russia's war against Ukraine.
In addition, carriers will be able to benefit from justified unused slots and count them as operated, while carriers prohibited to fly into EU airspace will lose their slots immediately.
"The Council's mandate confirms the path advocated by the Commission's proposal, namely to move towards normality while continuing to provide certain flexibility. To ensure a gradual approach in the surrounding uncertainty, Member States agreed that a general slot relief at 75% would still apply during the winter season, which lasts until 25 March 2023," the announcement said.
"In case of urgent need stemming from an epidemiological crisis or the war, the Commission will be empowered to modify that rule through delegated acts. In addition, air carriers will be allowed to benefit from justified unused slots and count them as operated," it added.
On the other hand, air carriers prohibited to fly into Union airspace will lose their slots immediately.
The Commission noted that the new regulation will apply to the coming winter season and until the end of the summer season of next year, for which the standard 80% slot utilisation rule will apply unless the Commission adopts a delegated act to change this rule due to crisis-induced disruptions.
The Council is expected to adopt the legislative act on October 17.
