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EU Commission: Airport slots need improvement | |
(2 days later) | |
An extra 28 million passengers a year could use European airports if slots were allocated to airlines more efficiently, an EU study says. | An extra 28 million passengers a year could use European airports if slots were allocated to airlines more efficiently, an EU study says. |
There is intense rivalry among airlines for landing and take-off slots at the busiest European airports. | There is intense rivalry among airlines for landing and take-off slots at the busiest European airports. |
The boost from a more efficient system would still only be a fraction of total air passenger transport in Europe. | The boost from a more efficient system would still only be a fraction of total air passenger transport in Europe. |
The UK alone handled 214 million air passengers in 2010, the aviation website anna.aero reports. | The UK alone handled 214 million air passengers in 2010, the aviation website anna.aero reports. |
Apart from the UK, the biggest air transport markets in Europe last year were: Spain (193 million passengers), Germany (191 million), France (143 million) and Italy (140 million), says the website, which analyses air traffic. | Apart from the UK, the biggest air transport markets in Europe last year were: Spain (193 million passengers), Germany (191 million), France (143 million) and Italy (140 million), says the website, which analyses air traffic. |
The European Commission plans to introduce legislation within months to address the problem of airport congestion in Europe. | The European Commission plans to introduce legislation within months to address the problem of airport congestion in Europe. |
According to its analysis, better use of airport slots could bring economic benefits worth more than 5bn euros (£4.4bn) in the period 2012-2025. | According to its analysis, better use of airport slots could bring economic benefits worth more than 5bn euros (£4.4bn) in the period 2012-2025. |
Air hubs under pressure | Air hubs under pressure |
The EU study says says the problem of limited capacity is likely to worsen because many busy airports, including London Heathrow and Paris Orly, do not plan to expand. | The EU study says says the problem of limited capacity is likely to worsen because many busy airports, including London Heathrow and Paris Orly, do not plan to expand. |
The EU study, by an independent transport planning consultancy, looked at 15 European airports, including the most congested ones, and involved key stakeholders. | The EU study, by an independent transport planning consultancy, looked at 15 European airports, including the most congested ones, and involved key stakeholders. |
It focuses on the way airport slots are allocated to airlines - a job done by co-ordinators using various criteria, including "historic preference" - a custom that favours traditional airlines. | It focuses on the way airport slots are allocated to airlines - a job done by co-ordinators using various criteria, including "historic preference" - a custom that favours traditional airlines. |
It recommends secondary trading of airport slots EU-wide, based on what it says is successful experience at London airports. | It recommends secondary trading of airport slots EU-wide, based on what it says is successful experience at London airports. |
Secondary trading means airlines can sell slots if they cannot use them efficiently. But the study recognises that in some cases, airlines do not have an incentive to do so. | Secondary trading means airlines can sell slots if they cannot use them efficiently. But the study recognises that in some cases, airlines do not have an incentive to do so. |
The study also finds that it is difficult for new market entrants to grow operations at congested airports because few slots change hands there. | The study also finds that it is difficult for new market entrants to grow operations at congested airports because few slots change hands there. |
Across the EU, there are also big differences in the penalties imposed for misuse of slots, the study says. | Across the EU, there are also big differences in the penalties imposed for misuse of slots, the study says. |
The Commission calls for greater transparency in the way slots are used and a stricter usage threshold, to ensure that slots are not wasted while other carriers want them. | The Commission calls for greater transparency in the way slots are used and a stricter usage threshold, to ensure that slots are not wasted while other carriers want them. |
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