ESC argues for 70:30 rule for freighter operators at full airports

© Tatiana Bralnina

The European Shippers Council is arguing, reasonably enough, that IATA’s 80:20 rule, whereby airlines lose slots at full airports if they fail to operate 80% of flights as per the schedule, should be adapted to 70:30 for freighter operations. Freighter operators need to adjust schedules and wait for cargo, whereas the 80:20 rule was designed by IATA for passenger operations. The low-cost and leisure airlines are taking up the capacity, and many are not even IATA members. But despite frequent requests ...