UK Eases Airport Slot Rules Amid Fuel Shortage Risk

The UK government has announced temporary measures to relax airport slot rules, allowing airlines to cancel or consolidate flights weeks in advance without risking the loss of valuable takeoff and landing slots at major hubs like Heathrow and Gatwick. The move, revealed on May 3, 2026, aims to prevent last-minute disruptions during the peak summer holiday season amid potential jet fuel shortages caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to ongoing Middle East conflict.

Under standard regulations, airlines must utilize at least 80 percent of their allocated slots or forfeit them to competitors, a policy known as the "use it or lose it" rule. The new contingency provisions enable carriers to hand back a limited number of slots proactively while retaining rights to them next season. This flexibility would permit combining multiple flights to the same destination on the same day, reducing empty "ghost flights" and fuel waste from underbooked aircraft.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, who discussed the plans at a roundtable on April 30, 2026, with representatives from Heathrow, Gatwick, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and easyJet, emphasized proactive planning. "There...