Ryanair condemns EU proposals for airport slots

Ryanair today condemned the EU’s proposal to waive the ‘use it or lose it’ rule in relation to airport slots, by where the Commission’s proposal could mean that it would no longer be mandatory for airlines to operate and use their slots in order to retain them.

Reacting to the EU’s proposal, Ryanair’s Deputy Chief Executive, Michael Cawley said:

“This is protectionism of the worst type and will lead to further state and EU support for inefficient, high cost airlines which don’t have the cost base to support growth or even the maintenance of existing services. The Commission’s proposal will ensure that these inefficient, high cost airlines can hold on to valuable slots at slot coordinated airports without using them and essentially block any plans by Ryanair to grow at these airports. This is bad for aviation, airports and, above all, consumers as it reverses Europe back to its old regulated ways in aviation when inefficient, monopolistic, state run airlines blocked more efficient operators from competing on a level playing field.

“Ryanair is set to grow by 9 million passengers this year, much of which will be at slot coordinated airports. Our path to reduce fares and increase passenger traffic should not be blocked by the inefficient, high fares airlines aided and abetted by the EU Commission’s misguided decision to allow them to hold on to slots without operating them.

“We call on the EU Parliament and the EU governments to reject this protectionist proposal from the Commission and allow free access to unused slot times at all airports throughout Europe so that the most efficient operator can prevail and customers can enjoy the guaranteed lowest fares”.