The United Kingdom is relaxing the otherwise strict slot rules for the summer season. The aim is to enable the airlines to take these connections out of the planning without running the risk of losing take-off and landing rights.

There are acute staff shortages at many UK airports and airlines operating in this state. Although you often know for a long time that there are not enough staff for the planned connection, you usually only cancel at extremely short notice. This is based on the “use it or lose it” rule.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has now decreed that airlines have a short period of time to revise their flight schedules. The regulator must be informed by Friday which flights will be cancelled. The special provision does not apply to connections that are canceled after this date.