The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said it
is contacting global aviation regulators to request more leniency on rules
governing the use of airport slots due to the impact of the coronavirus
(Covid-19).
Regulations state that airlines must use at least 80 per
cent of their allocated slots or else risk losing the right to those slots the
next equivalent season.
With many airlines around the world cutting capacity and
cancelling flights to deal with a slow-down in demand, IATA claimed the coronavirus
outbreak should be considered an exceptional circumstance by regulators who
have the power to relax slot allocation rules.
According to the association, one carrier is experiencing a
26 per cent reduction across its entire operation compared to last year, while
a hub airline has reported a 108 per cent decrease in bookings to Italy.
Several carriers are reporting 50 per cent no-show rates across several markets
and companies are having to mitigate the impact of weakening demand through
unpaid leave for crew, freezing of pay increases and plans to ground aircraft.
Regulators have already begun waiving slot rules throughout
the coronavirus outbreak in the worst-hit markets, such as China and Hong Kong.
IATA director general and CEO Alexandre de Juniac commented:
“IATA research has shown that traffic has collapsed on key Asian routes and that
this is rippling throughout the air transport network globally, even between
countries without major outbreaks of Covid-19. There are precedents for
previous suspension of the slot use rules and we believe the circumstances
again calls for a suspension to be granted. We are calling for regulators worldwide
to help the industry plan for today’s emergency and the future recovery of the
network, by suspending the slot use rules on a temporary basis.
“The world is facing a huge challenge to prevent the spread
of Covid-19 while enabling the global economy to continue functioning. Airlines
are on the front line of that challenge and it’s essential that the regulatory
community work with us to ensure airlines are able to operate in the most
sustainable manner, both economically and environmentally, to alleviate the
worst impacts of the crisis.”