Ryanair condemn EU proposal on slot waiver

Ryanair today condemned the decision by the European Commission to waive the 'use it or lose it' rule in relation to slot times at slot regulated airports. Under the proposal, airlines will no longer be obliged to operate on a slot controlled route in order to retain the slot. Ryanair contend that the new practice is protectionist and that it allows airlines to effectively lock competitors out of an airport by refusing to give up unused slots. Ryanair's growth has to some extent depended on the airline picking up unused slots at regulated airports. The airline's Deputy CEO Michael Cawley said "This is bad for aviation, airports and, above all, consumers as it reverses Europe back to its old regulated ways in aviation when inefficient, monopolistic, state run airlines blocked more efficient operators from competing on a level playing field."