Air transport: allocation of slots at Community airports

The European Parliament adopted by 508 votes to 20, with 7 abstentions, a legislative resolution amending, under the first reading of the codecision procedure, the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EEC) No 95/93 on common rules for the allocation of slots at Community airports.

The amendments are the result of a compromise negotiated with the Council.

A new recital stresses that the Commission should continue to analyse the impact of the economic crisis on the air transport sector. Should the economic situation continue to deteriorate prior to the winter 2009/2010 scheduling period, the Commission could make a proposal to renew the arrangements contained in this Regulation for the winter 2010/2011 season.

Such a proposal should be preceded by a full impact assessment analysing its possible effects on competition and consumers and should be made only if it forms part of a proposal for a general revision of Council Regulation (EEC) No 95/93 on common rules for the allocation of slots at Community airports in order to resolve present slot allocation inefficiencies and to ensure the optimal use of scarce capacity at congested airports.