The European Commission, which is probing the lucrative unofficial “grey market” in take-off and landing slots across Europe, could be ready to offer a solution by August.
An in-depth analysis of slot allocation commissioned by the EC has indicated that introducing market-based mechanisms for redistributing slots – such as higher slot prices, the use of slot auctions and the secondary trading of slots – could increase passenger numbers at primary European airports by up to 6%.
That was backed last week by a UK Civil Aviation Authority report supporting the introduction of secondary slot-trading alongside guarantees ensuring unrestricted and transparent trading to prevent airline anti-competitive behaviour.
Source: Flight International
