WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1165/98 by Graham WATSON to the Commission. Regional airports and access to hub airports
Date: 1998-04-29
Institutions: European Parliament, WATSON
Subjects: air traffic, air transport, airport, carriage of passengers, inland transport, intra-EU transport, transport capacity, transport planning, transport regulations

22.2.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 50/15

(1999/C 50/020)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1165/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(29 April 1998)

Subject: Regional airports and access to hub airports

Air traffic to and from regional airports constitutes a significant and growing sector in the aviation industry.

Does the Commission recognize that, set against the increased volume of travellers using regional airports, there
remain disproportionate economic difficulties for regional airports in securing slots at hub airports?

(1999/C 50/021)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1166/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(29 April 1998)

Subject: Regional airports and access to hub airports

What plans does the Commission have for opening up access to hub airports for airlines operating out of regional
airports?

While it is economic for hub airports to open the majority of slots to the highest bidder, would the Commission
support the introduction of the concept of Designated Regional Airports which would have access to a limited
number of slots in hub airports at a fixed price and with the same share of peak-time travel?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-1165/98 and E-1166/98
given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(29 May 1998)

The Commission is aware that airlines operating to and from regional airports find it increasingly difficult to
secure appropriate slots at congested hub airports. The Commission can confirm that since the entry into force of
Council Regulation (EEC) 95/93 of 18 January 1993 on the common rules for the allocation of slots at
Community airports (1), the so-called Slot Regulation, pressure on the allocation system at Community airports
has increased, in particular as a result of traffic growth. The situation for regional airports is being taken into
account in the on-going preparation for amending and updating Regulation 95/93.

One of the main difficulties in the area of slot allocation is finding the right balance between interested parties.
Major airlines consider that the proposal should facilitate the operation of integrated hub and spoke networks.
Regional airlines and airports consider that regional carriers should obtain a better or even guaranteed access to
congested airports. Airports, in general, are interested in the stability of services, in maximising the number of
passengers, and in striking a better balance between the regional market and the long haul market. These elements
often conflict with each other. This is why it would be difficult to introduce changes to the current paramaters that
would give priority to one category of operators over another.

It is envisaged that, in the present regulation on slots, the revised legislation will retain the possibility of reserving
slots on vital routes to and from regional airports where public service obligations have been imposed under
Council Regulation 2408/92. Member States should therefore continue to be able to reserve slots in order to
ensure the continued operation of such services between regional and hub airports.

(1) OJ L 14, 22.1.1993.