Budget airlines angry over EU airport slots plan

Current rules force airlines to use the time slots at busy airports at least 80 percent of the time or face losing them in the following season, but some big airlines argue this obliges them to keep flying even when uneconomical.

European Commissioner Antonio Tajani told reporters that by freezing the slot rule during the 2009 summer season the EU would give airlines the freedom to cut capacity during the current downturn.

"In order to prevent airlines maintaining their capacity and operating purely in order to keep their slots, the Commission is proposing a temporary freeze of the 80-20 rule during the 2009 summer season (April to October)," said a Commission statement.

"This measure is planned for only one season," it added. "However, depending on how serious the situation appears as the 2009-2010 winter season approaches, the Commission may decide … to renew all or part of the scheme."

Tajani urged Europe's member states and its parliament to wave through the measure as soon as possible.

Critics say the slot rule makes it harder for new entrants to join the aviation market. Budget airlines said on Tuesday that the proposed freeze would prevent the proper functioning of a market precisely when it should punish high-cost carriers.

Inefficient airlines should not be helped to hoard slots they cannot use economically, and they should hand them to more efficient airlines that are still doing good business, said Britain's easyJet.

"Protectionism is not the answer, it will simply make the crisis worse," said easyJet Chief Executive Andy Harrison.

"The Commission's proposal is anti-consumer and only in the narrow commercial interest of a handful of ailing flag carriers," he added.

"We call on the European Parliament and EU member states to reject a piece of legislation that has been written by the Association of European Airlines, the unrepresentative club of former state-run airlines," he added.