From March 26, 2023, the United Kingdom will require airlines to actually use their take-off and landing rights. So far, the so-called slot rules have been suspended or greatly relaxed due to the corona pandemic.

Specifically, the return to the usual set of rules means that carriers must use 80 percent of their take-off and landing rights for each flight plan period. Otherwise there is a risk of withdrawal. In the 2023 summer timetable, airlines have the opportunity to return up to five percent of their slots without consequences. The British government wants to ensure that capacities are taken off the market in the event of a staff shortage. The returns are to be temporarily reassigned by the regulator.

Low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air have repeatedly criticized the fact that the slot rules have been significantly relaxed by the European Union, the United Kingdom and other countries due to the corona pandemic. Among other things, it was accused that these should only serve to protect competitors from competition. Companies like Lufthansa saw things differently. There were even threats that empty flights would have to be carried out in order to be able to obtain take-off and landing rights.