The Department for Transport (DfT) on Tuesday (31 January) confirmed that from 26 March, slot usage rules would revert to pre-pandemic levels citing the return of UK air passengers numbers in October to 85% of equivalent 2019 volumes.
The DfT, though, said some pandemic-era flexibility would be retained to guard against airlines operating so-called "ghost flights" – empty or near-empty flights – to preserve their slots, or cancelling flights at the lat-minute.
Airlines, the DfT has confirmed, will also be able to hand back up to 5% of their slots before the start of the summer season "to help plan realistic schedules and avoid last-minute cancellations".
However, Which? Travel editor Rory Boland said watering down the slot amnesty risked doing exactly what the government is trying to avoid, and renewed the consumer champion’s call for the CAA to be given sufficient powers to police the sector.
"Travellers faced complete chaos last summer, with many airlines consistently failing in their ability to deliver anything close to a reliable service," said Boland.
Boland continued: "With some companies still in the process of re-staffing, and tickets selling in record numbers, the government’s decision to drop the airline slots amnesty could mean airlines once again resorting to last-minute cancellations if they are not fully prepared for the summer season.
"It is essential that airlines and airports take every necessary step to ensure they can deliver their promised schedules, and the government must not hesitate in taking action against any airlines found once again to be taking bookings they cannot fulfil."
On the CAA’s powers, he added: “The government must also urgently set out legislation to give the CAA stronger enforcement powers, so that it can properly regulate the aviation sector. Without decisive action, some airlines will continue to neglect their legal responsibilities and mistreat passengers, as we have seen repeatedly in the last few years.”
