At heart, questions whether the Slot Regulation, the Ground handling Directive and the Airport Charges Directive remain effective, efficient, relevant, coherent with other policies, and deliver EU added value. The answers will influence everyday realities such as access during peaks, the reliability of turnarounds and how infrastructure is paid for. They will also shape how environmental incentives are designed, from sustainable aviation fuel availability on the apron to price signals that support cleaner operations without unintended effects.

Why it matters in practice

Point-to-point connectivity into mixed-use airports relies on workable access at short notice, resilient services on the day, and charging structures that are transparent and proportionate. A slot rule that drives high utilisation can also reduce flexibility for time-sensitive missions. A ground handling market that looks competitive on paper can still leave specialist services thin at secondary fields. A charge that reflects greener kit is welcome, but only if it links to infrastructure operators can actually use, such as SAF at realistic blends or ground power where it is physically available. These are the kinds of details we are placing in front of policymakers, backed by concrete member evidence.

What we are advocating, file by file

Slot Regulation

We support targeted amendments that embed fair and predictable access for non-scheduled operations at coordinated airports. In practical terms, we are calling for a modest, reviewable access mechanism within declared capacity administered by coordinators, with flexible reallocation if unused. Utilisation expectations for non-scheduled flights should be adapted so access is not tied to thresholds designed for fixed timetables. We want a rapid, harmonised process that prioritises urgent medical and humanitarian missions across the EU. Transparency from coordinators should improve, with reporting on how diverse operational needs are met. Where airports face persistent scarcity, narrowly tailored local rules should be permitted to reserve a small share of capacity for non-scheduled access under clear oversight. These changes preserve efficient use of scarce capacity while keeping essential connectivity viable.

Ground handling

We are fully aligned with IBAC. Our ask is to bring the Directive up to date by putting safety at its core, consistent with EC 2025/20. Where airports cap providers, rules must not shut out specialist handlers that serve non-scheduled operations; licensing should be transparent and non-discriminatory. The current seven-year licence is often too short to recover investment in equipment, training and lower-emission kit, particularly at coordinated airports, so we support longer terms or extensions linked to verifiable investment and safety performance. Minimum service levels should reflect time-sensitive operations and include clear on-the-day escalation.

We back practical decarbonisation through access to SAF uplift, ground power and cleaner GSE, and policies that support skills and training. We oppose cap or concession models that exclude specialist handlers, and renewal rules that discourage investment or reduce real-world availability at regional and secondary airports.

Airport charges

We support clear, non-discriminatory charging overseen by genuinely independent regulators. Environmental components should be transparent, technology-neutral and linked to feasible options that airports are actually rolling out. Charges should reflect cost causation and service levels, avoiding cross-subsidies that restrict access for low-footprint operations or atypical utilisation patterns.

How EBAA is engaging

We are submitting a formal response to the consultation and pairing it with case studies that show where today’s rules enable smooth operations and where they create friction. We are speaking with coordinators, handlers, airport managers and regulators to ensure the operational picture is clear. Our objective is clear: preserve fair access, improve day-of-operations resilience and align price signals with practical transition pathways.

What happens next

The key milestone for members is whether any follow-up proposals make it into the new Commission’s work programme expected in January 2026. That decision point is firmly on our radar and we will brief members as soon as there is clarity.

How you can help

Join our AMAC committees. These member groups are where we test assumptions, compare operational realities and shape positions that speak for the whole industry. If your team has insights on slots, ground handling or charges, lend your voice so our advocacy reflects real-world needs and is ready for the Commission’s 2026 work programme.

To express interest, please see our latest communication here.