Brussels, BE - Today, the Consumer Choice Center, the consumer advocacy group representing and empowering consumers in the EU and globally, sent a letter to Director-General Henrik Hololei to express their deep concerns about the Commission’s intention to extend the waiver of the “use-it-or-lose-it” rule for the entire 2020-2021 winter season.

The current waiver of the requirement to fly 80% of granted slots or lose them is set to expire on October 24th. The letter was sent as a response to the calls from multiple associations to formalise the extension. 

“The extension would create the situation in which the biggest airlines will get a chance to monopolise the slots making it impossible for the smaller ones to enter. Such a move would be extremely protectionist, distortive, and would do more harm than good,” said Fred Roeder, Managing Director at the Consumer Choice Center.

“The airport slot ownership shouldn’t be static. On the contrary, it should constantly rotate between airlines to guarantee the most efficient allocation of the facilities and to encourage responsible use of airports. The “use-it-or-leave-it” rule is, in this sense, fair and just, and should be sustained at all times,” said Maria Chaplia, European Affairs Associate at the Consumer Choice Center.

“What we need in these times is to encourage more connectivity and not less. Extending the waiver will likely keep flight connections and destinations way below the pre-COVID times. Now might be the right time for new entrants into the market to connect people across Europe and the world,” concluded Roeder.

Read the Consumer Choice Center open letter to DG move here.

***CCC's Managing Director Fred Roeder and European Affairs Associate Maria Chaplia are available to speak with accredited media on consumer regulations and consumer choice issues. Please send media inquiries HERE.***

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The CCC represents consumers in over 100 countries across the globe. We closely monitor regulatory trends in Ottawa, Washington, Brussels, Geneva and other hotspots of regulation and inform and activate consumers to fight for #ConsumerChoice. Learn more at consumerchoicecenter.org.