Make British Airways fly or lose slots, says Gatwick boss

Gatwick airport’s boss says airlines such as British Airways should ‘use or lose’ their landing slots. 

In what may be seen as a shot across the bows of BA – which halted short-haul flights from Gatwick last year – Stewart Wingate said other airlines were lining up to take the slots. 

Going nowhere: British Airways halted short-haul flights from Gatwick last year

He told The Mail on Sunday: ‘BA has already made public their position that because of the slot waiver they’ll not be flying short-haul during this summer season. 

‘If BA were to consider selling their slots, we know there’s demand from the likes of easyJet, Wizz Air and others to take the slots from them.’ 

He added: ‘Virgin has made clear to us they certainly will be maintaining their slot portfolio. We do expect Virgin and Delta to start flying in the months ahead.’ 

Wingate said the Government needs to bring back rules – suspended to help airlines through Covid – that force carriers to use their spaces. 

He added: ‘One of the things that’s holding us back is the ‘slot waiver’ the British Government continues to put in place. 

‘We’re certainly pressing the Government for the summer of 2022 to put the right incentives in place to have airlines use the scarce slots that are available.’ 

He warned that the UK is lagging Europe, which has already brought back rules so airlines must ‘use or lose’ their spaces this winter. 

Gatwick last week reported a net loss of £245million in the first half of the year as passenger numbers plunged to 569,000.