Airport slot ‘amnesty’ announced as easyJet cuts flights and strikes threatened

Move is intended to help airlines run reduced summer schedules, while easyJet plans to cut 11,000 flights

The government has announced an amnesty" on airport slot rules, making it easier for struggling airlines to plan schedules with fewer flights, as fresh strikes at easyJet threaten to add to a summer of disruption for passengers.

Airlines normally have to use allocated takeoff and landing slots at the busiest airports, such as London Heathrow and Gatwick, at least 70% of the time or risk forfeiting a valuable asset.