ACI EUROPE has welcomed new guidance from the European Commission aimed at helping the aviation sector manage disruptions caused by the ongoing oil crisis linked to the conflict in the Middle East.
The guidance clarifies how EU airport slot rules should be applied during the crisis. In particular, it confirms that airlines may be exempted from the usual requirement to use airport slots at least 80% of the time if flights are cancelled directly because of jet fuel shortages at airports. Such cases can qualify as “Justified Non-Use of Slots” (JNUS), in line with recommendations from the European Airport Coordinators Association.
At the same time, the Commission stated that higher fuel prices alone do not justify slot-use exemptions. ACI EUROPE supported this position, warning that broader waivers could disrupt airport operations, reduce revenues, create instability for passengers, and allow airlines to retain valuable slots without operating flights.
The guidance also confirms that:
- Public Service Obligation (PSO) route contracts can be adjusted to reflect fuel-related pressures.
- There are no regulatory barriers preventing the use of imported Jet A fuel in Europe.
ACI EUROPE Director General Olivier Jankovec said the measures provide useful clarity but argued that the most effective way to protect connectivity and affordable air travel would be for European governments to suspend national aviation taxes, especially to support smaller regional airports.