IATA calls for suspension of airport slot rules

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is contacting aviation regulators worldwide to request that the rules governing use of airport slots be suspended immediately and for the 2020 season, due to the impact of covid-19 (the coronavirus).  According to IATA, around 43% of all passengers depart from over 200 slot coordinated airports worldwide. And at present, the rules for slot allocation mean that airlines must operate at least 80% of their allocated slots under normal circumstances.  Failure to comply with this means the airline loses its right to the slot the next equivalent season, however,  in exceptional circumstances, regulators can relax