The IATA (International Air...>

GLOBAL MARKET/OPINION: The IATA (International Air Transport Association) have

announced that it "is contacting aviation regulators worldwide to request that

the rules governing use of airport slots be suspended immediately and for the

2020 season, due to the impact of COVID-19".

- What this effectively means is that airlines would be able to cancel more

flights than normal without losing any of their take-off/landing slots.

- Under normal rules 80% of flights have to be carried out by airlines,

otherwise slots can be lost. This is the restriction that the IATA look to lift,

with the impact through to October 2020.

- The IATA also released the following evidence to show the fall in demand:

** "Many carriers reporting 50% no-shows across several markets"

** "A hub carrier reporting bookings to Italy down 108% as bookings collapse to

zero and refunds grow"

** "A carrier experiencing a 26% reduction across their entire operation in

comparison to last year"