The International Air Transport Association ( IATA ) welcome the announcement by the European Commission ( EC ) granting the irregular dangling until June 2020 of the 80 - 20 “ utilize it or lose it ” rule for drome slots .
The decisiveness meditate the unprecedented situation facing the air hose manufacture . However , granting the pause only until June is the very minimum the industriousness needs , and a decision on a full suspension until October will be needed within the next calendar month to allow airlines to plan their schedules , according to IATA .
The COVID-19 virus has caused a collapse in planetary zephyr travel demand . owe to the necessary to continue to operate an airdrome slot for at least 80 % of the time , airlines have been unable to respond by adjusting their capacity . The respite of the slot use rule until June will permit airlines to begin position in place standard to cope with the unprecedented nightfall in dealings , but it is a shorter period than air hose had bespeak . Airlines call for the suspension to be extended to cover the whole season ( to October ) , as other regulators worldwide have already agreed . The EC will therefore need to review the extension request by April 15 .
“ airway are in crisis . The collapse in demand is unprecedented . And airlines are struggling to cope with capacity to the fast - changing situation . The Commission ’s decision to suspend slot use rule until June signify that air hose can make these decisive decisions now — without worry about the impact on next handiness of one-armed bandit . This is much need and most welcome . However , give all the doubtfulness , it is disappointing that the conclusion does not cover the full time of year , ” said Rafael Schvartzman , IATA ’s Regional Vice President for Europe .
The Commission ’s decisiveness will gain airlines , airports and passenger in numerous way include :
IATA count on that airline revenues could fall by $ 113 billion ( 19 % ) if the computer virus is not check ( this appraisal was made before the announcement of the limitation to travelers inbound to the United States from the Schengen region ) . And the airmanship industriousness will be crucial for the global economy to go back as speedily as potential once COVID-19 is convey under restraint .
“ air hose are implementing emergency measure under severe cashflow conditions . Along with loosen up slot rules , political science must also look at other form of emergency relief , ” said Schvartzman .
Avianca Cargo continues operationsIn consideration of the evolution of the COVID-19 and the recent measures taken by some government of countries where Avianca Cargo offers its services , the companyconfirmsthat they persist in to operate the path between Europe and the Americas via Bogota or via Miami .
The latest from Schiphol and SkyteamFor more tidings on how airlines are treat the COVID-19 crisis , please advert tothe Schiphol website , andthis overview from Skyteamwhere you will come up connexion to each penis ’s info on Covid-19 .