EU: MEPs pledge to treat slot rules suspension with ‘highest priority’

The European Parliament’s transport committee has pledged to treat with the “highest priority” moves to suspend slot rules to ensure airlines do not need to fly aircraft empty during the coronavirus crisis just to retain landing rights. Airlines were calling for the relaxation of the ”use it or lose it” slot rules even before faltering air travel demand was further hit by several countries, notably the US, implementing travel bans as part of measures to counter coronavirus. The EC March 10 outlined its intention to ”rapidly legislate” for a suspension in the rules, a move welcomed by the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee chair, Karima Delli. <br/> The Parliament says it is now looking into the Commission’s proposal and will announce the precise details of the next procedural steps. <br/>