(EUROPEAN UNION) The European Commission has opened an EU‑wide public consultation to update core airport rules that shape airfare levels, flight schedules, and service quality, inviting feedback from now until late October. The review, launched on 5 August 2025, covers three pillars: the Slot Regulation, the Groundhandling Directive, and the Airport Charges Directive. Together, these rules set how airlines access scarce take‑off and landing times, how baggage and ramp services are provided, and how airports charge carriers—costs that flow into ticket prices and the travel experience.
Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas said the aim is a more resilient, competitive, and greener aviation sector that keeps “affordable connectivity” for people and businesses. The Commission will use the evidence to decide whether to propose legal changes once the consultation ends on 28 October 2025.
Policy review: scope and timeline
The consultation is a “fitness check” of EU airport legislation, asking whether the current frameworks still work after the pandemic surge in demand, airline consolidation, labor shortages, and climate goals. It focuses on three instruments that affect what travelers pay and how smoothly airports run:
- Slot Regulation: rules for allocating scarce take‑off and landing slots at busy airports.
- Groundhandling Directive: access and competition for baggage, ramp, and other ground services.
- Airport Charges Directive: how airports set and consult on fees charged to airlines.
Who can respond:
– Citizens, travelers, airlines, airports, ground handlers, unions, consumer groups, national authorities, and experts.
How to respond:
– Provide feedback via the EU’s “Have Your Say” portal under “Aviation – fitness check of EU airport legislation.”
– Official consultation page: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say
What happens next:
1. Consultation window closes on 28 October 2025.
2. The Commission will publish a summary of feedback and may launch an impact assessment.
3. Any draft laws would go to the European Parliament and Council for debate and amendments under the ordinary legislative procedure.
4. If agreed, changes would be phased in with detailed timelines and transition periods.
How these rules affect fares and reliability
Airport charges feed directly into an airline’s cost base. The Airport Charges Directive governs how airports consult users and set fees for runways, terminals, security, and more. Possible outcomes include:
- Changes to fee structures that alter the balance between base fares and add‑ons.
- More transparent and predictable charging, supporting fair competition and enabling airports to plan upgrades that reduce delays.
Slot allocation determines who flies when at the busiest airports. Revisions to the Slot Regulation could:
- Influence on‑time performance and the number of flights at peak times.
- Improve access for new or smaller carriers through adjustments to slot use thresholds or competition safeguards.
- Enhance schedule reliability and traveler choice at congested hubs.
Ground operations underpin the whole airport day. The Groundhandling Directive affects how many service providers can operate and on what terms. Updates could:
- Address labor shortages, training, and quality standards.
- Improve baggage delivery and aircraft turnaround times, reducing missed connections and last‑minute cancellations.
The Commission also highlights broader market shifts:
– Competition from non‑EU carriers and airports is reshaping dynamics.
– Decarbonization targets add pressure for cleaner equipment, fuels, and smarter operations.
The fitness check asks whether current rules help or hinder these changes and where simpler processes could lower paperwork without harming safety or consumer rights.
For travelers: there is no immediate change to fees, slot access, or ground services while the Commission gathers evidence and studies impacts.
Medium‑term effects could include:
– Clearer airport pricing rules.
– Refreshed slot policies to tackle peak‑time congestion.
– Stronger ground‑handling performance standards.
Related baggage developments (separate file)
A separate issue drawing attention in 2025 is carry‑on baggage rules. In June, the European Parliament’s Transport Committee backed a plan to guarantee:
- A free personal item plus a free hand luggage piece up to 7 kg, with standard dimensions.
- The proposal referenced a personal bag up to 40×30×15 cm and a hand luggage item with total dimensions up to 100 cm.
- No extra charges for those items were proposed in the committee report.
Important caveats:
– This plan still needs approval by the full Parliament and agreement by member states.
– Final sizes or weights could change.
– Until a law is adopted and applied, each airline’s cabin baggage policy remains in force.
Positions:
– Airlines for Europe (A4E) warns a blanket free carry‑on rule could shift costs into base fares and reduce options for travelers who prefer “light” tickets.
– Consumer groups argue standard, free carry‑on avoids surprise fees and inconsistent gate enforcement.
Note: the baggage file is separate from the airport rules fitness check, but both could influence price transparency and what travelers pay upfront versus at the airport.
Stakeholders and likely positions
Stakeholders are preparing positions for the consultation:
- Airports: expected to argue for investment signals and flexible tools to manage peaks.
- Ground handlers and unions: likely to focus on staffing levels, safety, and service quality targets.
- Airlines: will press for fair slot access and predictable charges across the EU.
- Consumer groups: likely to push for clearer, simpler rules that cut delays and keep fares within reach.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the breadth of the consultation suggests the Commission wants concrete data from all sides before deciding on any legal rewrite.
If the Commission proposes changes, expect:
– Detailed impact assessments.
– Public drafts and extended negotiations between the European Parliament and the Council.
– Transition periods so airports, airlines, and service providers can adapt systems, contracts, and training.
What travelers can do now
If you’ve experienced problems—long baggage waits, tight connections due to slot‑related delays, or confusing airport fees—your input can help. When submitting feedback:
- Be specific: note the airport, date, and what went wrong or right.
- Provide concrete examples rather than general complaints.
- Share ideas for improvements or explain how rules affected your travel experience.
Strong, detailed feedback helps lawmakers identify where rules work and where they fall short.
Bottom line
As the summer rebound fills flights across Europe, pressure points are clear: congested peaks at major hubs, stretched ground crews, and higher operating costs. This fitness check is the EU’s chance to tune the Slot Regulation, the Groundhandling Directive, and the Airport Charges Directive so airports can run smoothly while keeping travel affordable.
The process will take time, but the outcome could set the ground rules for fare structures, punctuality, and service standards for years to come.
This Article in a Nutshell
EU launches fitness check of airport laws to tackle congestion, costs, and ground delays. Consultation runs 5 August–28 October 2025. Stakeholders must provide concrete evidence on slots, charges, and groundhandling to shape possible reforms affecting fares, punctuality, and service standards across member-state airports.
