Reports of thousands of empty planes taking off and landing from Brussels to retain take-off and landing rights is causing an international outcry. But according to airport umbrella organization ACI Europe, there is no need to keep the slots in this way.
The dome responds to the commotion that arose when became known that Lufthansa subsidiary Brussels Airlines would operate 3000 flights without passengers this winter. Lufthansa Group would operate 18,000 empty flights.
Airlines actually have to use 80 percent of their slots in order not to lose them, but the European Commission has reduced that to 50 percent due to corona, ACI Europe emphasizes.
Even if that 50 percent is not feasible, there is still an exception, says the dome. This can be requested if flights are not profitable due to travel bans and restrictions, such as mandatory quarantines or isolation measures.
–
