Budget airline to demand BA flight slots

No-frills airline easyJet was today meeting European Commission officials to demand the right to take over spare capacity at Gatwick airport, it emerged today.

EasyJet wants to use some of the slots left free by national carriers such as British Airways in the wake of the terrorist attacks in the US.

The move follows similar calls by both Ryanair and Go, which want slots at both Gatwick and Heathrow.

EasyJet chief executive Ray Webster was flying to Brussels to present his case to EC transport commissioner Loyola de Palacio.

His move will put easyJet in conflict with BA, which wants the Commission to relax its "use-it-or-lose-it" rule.

This forces airlines to give up any slot not used for 80% of the time, but BA feels it should be waived until passenger numbers rise back to normal levels.

EasyJet argues, however, that while transatlantic routes should be safeguarded, such a move within Europe would amount to an unfair state subsidy.

In a weekend interview with Mr Webster said BA was trying to hold on to the slots to stop low-cost airlines developing.

He added: "They know they have no future in continuing to develop European operations.

"Any airline that chooses not to fly a route should return its slots and they should be reallocated."

EasyJet began flying from Gatwick two years ago, and currently operates four services - to Amsterdam, Nice, Geneva and Barcelona - from West Sussex.

A spokesman for the airline said it would ideally like to replicate the routes it already runs from its base at Luton airport.

The move reflects the confidence of the low-cost airlines in the wake of the tragic events in the US.

Last week, easyJet said it flew 680,383 passengers during September - 150,000 higher than a year earlier and only slightly down on the previous month.

While bookings fell by 26% on the morning after the terrorist attacks, sales have since recovered to more normal levels, it said.

Rival operators Ryanair, Go and Buzz have also reported that business has remained strong.

This is in stark contrast to national carriers such as BA which has cut more than 5,000 jobs and a number of routes at Gatwick and Heathrow after seeing demand plummet.

A BA spokeswoman said the airline felt it was right to ask for a relaxation of the use-it-or-lose-it rule given the economic uncertainty.

"We are looking for a universal application to relax the rules at all airports in Europe," she said.

"Our business plans are under review on a day-by-day, week-by-week basis but we are optimising the slots we have.

"The situation is uncertain and it’s something all airlines are facing. We believe we have a case."