London Heathrow calls for stability for passengers during ongoing government slot consultation 

London Heathrow is urging the UK Government to ensure consistency for passengers as they review airline slot usage, warning alterations to the current set up could result in instability and missed opportunities for enhanced international connectivity.  

What is an airport slot and how does it work?

An airport slot is a permission given by a slot coordinator to use a runway at a busy airport. Slots are used as a tool to manage capacity effectively and efficiently at airports that have high flight volumes such as London Heathrow. Slot allocation is co-ordinated by ACL (Airport Coordination Limited) and managed entirely independently of airports. 

To reduce flight cancellations, improve stability for passengers, and enable the introduction of new routes for consumers long-term, the airport is asking the UK Government to maintain the current 80:20 slot ratio. This means that if an airline wants to retain a slot, it needs to operate flights from that slot at least 80% of the time – known as the ‘use it or lose it’ rule.

What does London Heathrow want?

London Heathrow is also asking for clarifications to the “justified non-use of slots” (‘JNUS’) regulation to enable airlines to hand back slots they will not use earlier than they can. The JNUS rules can give exemptions to the 80:20 slot usage ratio by allowing airlines to justify non-utilisation of allocated slots, when there have been unforeseeable and unavoidable circumstances outside the air carrier’s control, for instance, extreme weather conditions or airspace closure.

Strengthened monitoring rules will also prevent airlines from holding onto slots they do not intend to use, ensuring optimal use of slots by other airlines and cargo carriers as well as stability and choice for passengers.   

Alyson Playford, Aviation Director at Heathrow, said: “Providing choice and stability for our passengers are our key priorities, and by retaining the 80:20 slot ratio and clarifying “justified non-use of slots” regulation, these priorities can be delivered. We urge the government to consider our asks, and not to diverge too heavily from the worldwide airport slot guidelines and international best practice.”