The European Commission has adopted a Communication on the application of the slot allocation Regulation. The Communication clarifies a number of issues in order to ensure a better implementation of the existing rules and to improve the efficient use of scarce capacity at congested Community airport. In particular, it signals the acceptance of "secondary trading" of airport slots between air carriers.

The Communication states the Commission’s views with regard to the implementation of the Regulation in a number of areas with which stakeholders have experienced particular difficulties. The Communication draws from, and elaborates on, the Commission’s, Member States’ and stakeholders’ experience with the application of the Regulation, which was revised in 2004.

The Communication explains how the rules with respect to:

• the independence of the slot coordinator,
• new entry,
• local guidelines and
• exchange of slots for monetary and other consideration, should be interpreted.

The Communication from the Air Transport Portal of the European Commission, emphasises the need for better cooperation between European coordinators to ensure an objective and transparent slot allocation procedure and the added value of implementing a mechanism aimed at increasing the consistency between airport slots and flight plans. Slot allocation is widely used to tackle capacity shortfalls and manage delays in air traffic and airports.