Czech Presidency brokers deal to address crisis impact on aviation
On 7 May the European Parliament gave the green light to a proposed amendment to the Regulation on common rules for the allocation of slots at Community airports, which is expected to help air carriers hit by the current economic slowdown.
The approved wording is a compromise between the stance of the Council and that of the European Parliament and is the result of successful negotiations of the Czech Presidency.
The proposal responds to the continuing global economic and financial crisis and its repercussions for airline companies. These were hit by a severe drop in the number of flights in the 2008/09 winter scheduling season, with a 7% slump in December 2008 alone. The 2009 summer season is also expected to be affected by the crisis, with Eurocontrol forecasting a fall in traffic between 8.1% to 1.4%, probably nearing 4.9%.
The aim of the amendment is to guarantee air carriers the same series of slots during the summer 2010 scheduling season as were allocated to them for the summer 2009 season. This measure is temporary and gives airlines the possibility to adapt their services to the demand. Given the current situation, it can be helpful only if passed as soon as possible – otherwise air carriers might fly empty planes to prevent the risk of losing their slots due to under-use caused by the economic crisis.
A similar measure had been adopted after the events of September 11, 2001; and after the launch of the war in Iraq and the outbreak of SARS.
Contact:
- Lada Hlaváčková, Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Transport
- Tel.: +420 225 131 530, GSM: +420 607 946 989, E-mail: lada.hlavackova@mdcr.cz
Last update: 16.8.2011 15:23
