Originally Posted by
Flightrider
The slots can't be traded, sold or swapped. They can be used for other European routes in the time frame noted above.
Once the three years are up, it appears that they can be traded... Quoting European Union regulation (EC) No 139/2004 – Merger procedure
- As a general rule, the slots obtained by a prospective entrant must be operated on the city pair(s) for which they have been requested… and cannot be used on another city pair unless the prospective entrant has operated them during at least six full consecutive IATA seasons (the ‘ulitisation period’).
- Once the utilisation period has elapsed, the prospective entrant would be entitled to use the slots… to operate services on any route connecting London with any other part of Europe.
- During the utilisation period, the prospective entrant shall not be entitled to transfer, assign, sell, swap or charge… any slots obtained...
It only says they cannot be transferred, assigned, sold or swapped during the utilisation period, which is six IATA seasons.