UK reverts to business-as-usual 80:20 airport slots usage ratio

The British government has announced that airport slots usage rules for summer 2023 will return to the 2019 or pre-pandemic 80:20 ratio. The change means airlines will need to use their take-off slots 80% of the time if they are to keep them and means the room to manoeuvre during the 2020-2023 period of off-on lockdowns and border curbs will for the most part not be retained. The Department of Transport said there will be “some flexibility” for carriers who struggle to use up their slots, including a what officials said was a “Justified Non-Use provision” aimed at preventing so-called