UK: Domestic slots guaranteed for new London Heathrow runway

The UK govt has said it is prepared to intervene to reserve slots at London Heathrow for domestic flights if the airport’s planned expansion goes ahead. The long-awaited third runway at the London hub is inching toward its starting point, although progress on the controversial project is expected to continue to be slow, with several environmental and community groups predicted to launch judicial review proceedings against the plan. Assuming the runway eventually gets the go-ahead, the govt will put in place Public Service Obligations (PSOs)—the UK equivalent of US Essential Air Services arrangements—to protect routes if required. Such a move would also exempt the PSO routes from the UK’s APD, one of the world’s heaviest departure taxes, which regularly attracts the ire of airlines. <br/>