Review of EU rules on the allocation of slots at Union airports

A4E believes the existing framework largely serves its purpose and does not see a pressing need to revise it. While congestion and unmet demand at EU airports are serious concerns, slot coordination can only help to mitigate the effects of scarce capacity, and make the best of use of available capacity, but it cannot tackle the need for additional capacity.

The Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority (CAA) welcomes the Commissions plan to revise the Slot Regulation. The Danish CAA are supportive of the overall objectives and policy options proposed in the call for evidence.

The current Slot Regulation was based on the assumption that airports were constantly growing. Accordingly, the rules governing the receipt of slots and the allocation of new and released slots were laid down, not the withdrawal of slots. In summer 2022, it became apparent that some airports had allocated more slots than they could handle with acceptable quality.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

CLECAT, the European association for forwarding, transport, logistics and customs services, is the leading voice on freight forwarding and logistics at the EU level in Brussels. We represent and are supported by 24 member organisations, working to promote a sound approach to transport and logistics across Europe, in support of the competitiveness of our industry.

The Federal Government of the Federal Republic of Germany welcomes the opportunity to respond to the public consultation "Public consultation: Allocation of EU airport slots review of rules as follows (please find attached an informal courtesy translation into English): Comments from the Federal Government of the Federal Republic of Germany in the context of the public consultation on the allocation of slots at EU…

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Europeans for Fair Competition (E4FC), the association of European airlines and unions representing airline employees, is of the view that the current Slot Regulation has served well and continues to be fit-for-purpose. Therefore, the current rules do not require substantial modifications.

The current EU Slot Regulation was adopted in 1993 and no longer meets the times. Revision is needed to make better use of the scarce airport capacity and to take the strategic importance of airfreight and logistics more into account.

The United Kingdom Department for Transport (DfT) welcomes the opportunity to respond to this public consultation from a third country perspective. There is a clear international dimension to the slot allocation system with independent coordinators following rules and guidelines as set out by IATA and the need for airlines to follow the rules in the locations and countries they want to fly to and from.

Assaeroporti - the Italian Airports Association - supports the European Commission's initiative to review the Slot Regulation and fully agrees with the position expressed by ACI Europe. It is crucial to allow a slot allocation system that better reflects the available capacity, and expected future increases in capacity at European airports, as well as the necessity to balance the legitimate interests of all…

Hereafter follow comments by The Norwegian Ministry of Transport and CAA Norway Regarding point B. "Objective and policy options" in the Call For Evidence 1. Provide the suitable regulatory framework for airlines to compete and provide for connectivity and efficiency Norway agrees that the EU should consider requiring operators to utilise allocated slots to a higher degree than today's 80/20-rule.

According to the European Shippers Council, current challenges on capacity, congestion, sustainability, noise pollution and the added value of certain flights have made the EU slot regulation out of date. This specifically disadvantages air freight operations in Europe, which provide the most economic added value and jobs per flight.

ACI EUROPE, representing over 500 airports in 55 countries, supports the European Commission's initiative to review the Slot Regulation. ACI EUROPE believes that the following elements should form part of a revised Regulation: - Greater transparency in the slot allocation process; - More scope to ensure that slot allocation takes into account the economic and connectivity strategies of airports and the related needs…

As far as the city of Amsterdam is concerned, further growth of air traffic in our region is not a given due to reasons of climate, safety, nuisance and public health. Aviation too often limits the building ambitions of Amsterdam and the region. For us, quality of life, climate and housing always take precedence over air travel.

In countries where there is a mix of Coordinated and Schedules Facilitated airports (SFAs) these are both handled by each countrys appointed Coordinator. The Regulation is quite specific about the role of the Coordinator and the handling of Coordinated airports and by extension this applies to the SFAs of the particular country. In the cases where only SFAs operate in a country, a Schedules Facilitator is appointed.

Dear Mr, Ms, we would like to use the opportunity to provide our input during the public consultation on the revision of the EU slot allocation regulation at Community airports (EEC No 95/93) by means of the attached letter. As a municipality with Schiphol in its territory, we would like to focus on managing airport capacity and on consistency with other policy priorities.

Filed in Dutch · English published by the European Commission

On 29 August 2022, the European Commission published a Call for evidence for an impact assessment (Call for Evidence) and Public Consultation related to the allocation of EU airport slots review of rules. EUACA welcomes the open call for evidence for a review of rules of Regulation (EEC) No 95/93 (the Slot Regulation) and is thankful for the opportunity to provide its feedback.

The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management would like to thank the European Commission for the opportunity to comment on the call for evidence for the planned revision of the EU Slot regulation 95/93. We support the Commissions intention to revise the current EU Slot regulation because the rules for slot allocation have not changed substantially since the regulation was adopted in 1993.

For small regional airlines the current revision of the slot regulation has considerable potential to result in damage for regional connectivity. While it is considered that a revision has potential to make slot management more efficient, it is important that this efficiency increase does not disadvantage regional airlines operating smaller aircraft.