Gatwick Airport has initiated legal action challenging the government’s recent decision to relax airline take-off slot usage rules. The airport filed a request for a judicial review earlier this week, focusing on new “slot” alleviation measures intended to mitigate potential disruptions in the airline sector.

The rules, which came into effect this week, reduce the minimum slot usage requirement from 80% to 70% during periods when the industry faces jet fuel shortages. Under the original guidelines, airlines must use eight out of every 10 allocated take-off slots to retain them. The government introduced the relaxed criteria in May amid concerns over possible jet fuel supply interruptions linked to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and the broader Iran crisis.

Gatwick, owned by France’s Vinci and BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), argued that the original 80% slot usage rule was adequate if properly enforced. Sources familiar with the complaint claim that the government’s consultation on the changes lasted only four days, a timeframe Gatwick contends was insufficient and indicative of a pre-determined decision.

The government expressed surprise at Gatwick’s challenge. A senior official described the airport’s legal move as difficult to comprehend, emphasizing that the relaxed rules aim to support passengers and businesses in the event of jet fuel disruptions. Industry voices have criticized Gatwick’s stance as self-serving. One airline executive called the lawsuit “a nakedly self-interested attempt by Gatwick and their shareholders to block a precautionary measure designed to protect summer holidays.”

The slot rule changes were announced amid warnings that Europe could face jet fuel shortages during the summer months of 2024. However, some carriers, including British Airways, later reported they had secured sufficient fuel supplies to maintain their full summer schedules. Additionally, a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran was reached recently, raising the possibility of the Strait of Hormuz reopening as a key fuel transit route.

While Gatwick’s legal filing has yet to be formally entered into the court system, a judge will decide whether to accept and process the complaint. If the challenge proceeds, the rule changes could be temporarily halted pending the outcome of the judicial review.

The slot alleviation measures faced industry criticism when first proposed. ACI Europe, the association representing European airports, argued that the relaxed rules grant airlines excessive freedom to reduce service levels and fail to meet schedules, ultimately harming passengers, communities, and airport operations.

Gatwick declined to comment on the legal action. The Department for Transport stated that the government’s approach is prudent, aimed at preventing last-minute disruption by enabling airlines to secure schedules that work for passengers in the face of potential jet fuel supply threats.