16 May 2025

PARLIAMENT OPPOSES WITHDRAWAL OF EU AIRPORT SLOTS PROPOSAL

The European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) has expressed its opposition to the European Commission’s intention to withdraw its long-standing proposal to reform the slot allocation system at EU airports.

The proposal, originally put forward in 2011, has remained blocked in the Council for more than a decade. In its 2025 work programme, presented on 11 February, the Commission listed the initiative among five pieces of transport legislation it intends to withdraw, citing a lack of prospects to break the current deadlock. However, in a letter dated 8 May and signed by MEP Bernd Lange, Chair of the Conference of Committee Chairs, the TRAN Committee called on the Commission to postpone its decision until a quality review of EU airport legislation has been finalised. The review, launched in spring 2024, is expected to conclude by the end of 2025.