Slot rules must be relaxed to avoid ‘ghost flights’ during COVID19, warns Grant Shapps

UK transport secretary Grant Shapps has asked the European Commission to relax rules on airport slot allocation after Virgin Atlantic admitted it has been forced to operate almost empty flights due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The airline said it is continuing to operate the flights, despite poor demand, to retain its take-off and landing slots at major airports, including Heathrow.

Under existing EU rules, if an airline fails to use its slots, it risks them being taken away and given to another airline the following season.

Shapps is asking the EU to relax the rules during the coronavirus outbreak to avoid airlines operating ‘ghost flights’.

In a tweet, he said: "Aviation demand is reduced due to COVID-19, but airlines are being forced to fly some ‘ghost flights’ to avoid losing their slots – bad news for the environment, airlines & passengers. I’ve written to the regulator to request urgent reconsideration of 80% slot utilisation rule."

Airport Coordination Limited (ACL), which governs slot allocation in the UK, has already agreed to waive the 80/20 rule for flights to mainland China and Hong Kong, which have been suspended on health grounds.

Shapps has asked the ACL, an independent body, to also waive the rule for other flights.