EC urged to stand firm
eayJet has hit out at calls for the EC to suspend its slot rules at major airports.
Europe's second largest low cost carrier urged Brussels to stand firm against "narrow-minded protectionism by a few legacy airlines appealing for state aid through the back door."
The attack came after the Association of European Airlines (AEA) which represents carriers including Lufthansa, BA and Air France KLM, held informal talks with the EU.
A spokesman for the AEA said the aim was to persuade Brussels to suspend the 80-20 slot rule at congested airport which requires airlines allocated slots to use them for 80% of the time.
The AEA said this would help airlines cut capacity during the current financial downturn without the fear of losing the "highly valuable" slots.
easyJet said the move by the "self-serving, wholly-unrepresentative" Association would stop other carriers using "scarce slots that would be freed-up by cutbacks expected for this year."
Andy Harrison, easyJet's ceo, said: "This is not about protecting the industry; it's about propping-up a few poorly-run, inefficient network airlines with out-dated business models that cannot adapt to the demands of modern consumers.
"This idea does not have the support of the industry, and it is not consistent with the objective of supporting the industry.
"If unused slots are in demand they will be taken up by other airlines, helping consumers and local communities in the process, and the industry as a whole."
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