The UK Government has launched a rapid consultation on plans to temporarily relax airport slot rules, aiming to reduce the risk of last-minute flight cancellations and provide greater certainty for passengers ahead of the peak summer travel season.
The proposals would give airlines additional flexibility to adjust their schedules in advance, helping them respond to any potential disruption stemming from ongoing global uncertainty linked to the Middle East conflict.
While ministers stress there are currently no jet fuel supply issues affecting UK carriers, the Department for Transport is taking pre-emptive action to ensure the aviation sector can plan ahead and avoid disruption at short notice.
Under the measures being considered, airlines would be permitted to hand back a limited proportion of their allocated take-off and landing slots without losing historic rights to them in future seasons. This would allow carriers to consolidate services on routes with multiple daily flights and reduce the likelihood of late cancellations or operating lightly loaded aircraft.
The Government believes such flexibility would enable airlines to lock in more realistic schedules earlier, minimising disruption for passengers and avoiding so-called “ghost flights” that operate with low load factors.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the Government is closely monitoring the situation, particularly following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy shipping route.
She said: “There are no immediate supply issues, but we’re preparing now to give families long-term certainty and avoid unnecessary disruption at the departure gate this summer.
“This legislation will give airlines the tools to adjust flights in good time if they need to, which helps protect passengers and businesses.”
The proposals build on recent guidance from Airport Coordination Limited, which confirmed airlines would not lose slots if they were unable to operate flights due to jet fuel shortages. The new measures would go further by allowing proactive adjustments before shortages materialise.
The Transport Secretary discussed the plans during a roundtable on 30 April with key industry stakeholders, including representatives from Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and easyJet.
Industry bodies have broadly welcomed the Government’s contingency planning. Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, said carriers are continuing to operate normally and are not experiencing fuel supply problems, but noted that slot alleviation would help airlines “adjust schedules responsibly” while maintaining connectivity.
Similarly, Karen Dee, Chief Executive of AirportsUK, said it is “sensible” for the Government to consult on potential measures, adding that airports will work closely with ministers to assess the proposals.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority also reiterated that UK passengers benefit from some of the strongest protections globally. Chief Executive Rob Bishton emphasised that airlines must offer customers a choice between a refund or alternative travel arrangements if flights are cancelled, including re-routing with another carrier where necessary.
Passengers experiencing significant delays remain entitled to care and assistance, including meals, refreshments and accommodation where required, depending on the length of delay.
The Government is also continuing to explore broader contingency measures to safeguard jet fuel supply, noting that the UK sources fuel from a diverse range of countries, including the United States, and has increased domestic production.
With consultation now underway, ministers say the aim is to ensure both passengers and the aviation industry can approach the summer season with greater confidence and resilience against potential disruption.