Permits to take off and land at busy airports – notably Heathrow and Gatwick – are among carriers’ most valuable assets. British Airways has more than half the slots at Heathrow, while easyJet has almost half of the slots at Gatwick.
Normally the “80:20” rule applies, requiring airlines to fly for at least 80 per cent of the summer or winter season allocations, or see their slots handed to other carriers.
But during the pandemic, the Department for Transport (DfT) has suspended the requirement as airlines cope with the collapse in demand – which has been far greater in the UK than in any other major European nation.
This story is from the January 24, 2022 edition of The Independent.
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This story is from the January 24, 2022 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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