EU proposes dropping airline slot rule in response to coronavirus

BRUSSELS, March 10 (Reuters) - The European Commission has
proposed temporarily dropping the rule that airlines operate 80%
of scheduled services to retain landing slots as the coronavirus
outbreak pummels the global aviation industry.

"This temporary measure helps both our industry but it also
it helps our environment. It will relieve the pressure on
aviation industry and in particular on smaller airline
companies," Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told
reporters in Brussels on Tuesday.

Industry pressure was mounting on European authorities to
waive the rule requiring airlines to run 80% of scheduled
services or else forfeit unused take-off and landing slots, amid
concern it is inducing some carriers to run empty 'ghost
flights'.

Global aviation has lost almost a third of its value - $70
billion - this year, according to Reuters calculations based on
the 20 top global carriers.

Additionally, European Union leaders will hold emergency
talks in a video conference call on Tuesday afternoon to discuss
a joint response to the virus outbreak.
(Reporting by Marine Strauss @StraussMarine; editing by Philip
Blenkinsop)