Responsibility for monitoring of the Commitments
Published 6 August 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/monitoring-of-the-commitments-given-by-iag-to-the-european-commission-in-relation-to-its-acquisition-of-bmi/responsibility-for-monitoring-of-the-commitments
Transfer of enforcement powers
Following Commission Decision (EU) 2024/1665 of 12 June 2024, the enforcement powers for Case No COMP/M.6447 concerning the acquisition by IAG of bmi (‘Case M.6447’) were transferred from the Commission to the CMA on 1 July 2024 (the ‘Transfer’). (*)
Post-Transfer, Forvis Mazars LLP continues to be the monitoring trustee (the ‘Trustee’) for the monitoring of the Commitments given by IAG to the Commission in relation to Case M.6447 on 30 March 2012 (the ‘Commitments’).
The Commitments and other case related information can be downloaded directly from the Commission’s case page.
(*) The CMA’s monitoring and enforcement powers in relation to transferred EU commitments are set out under Sections 95A and 95B of the Enterprise Act 2002.
Responsibilities of the Trustee
The general responsibilities of the Trustee are set out in section 6 of the Commitments. The Trustee also has specific responsibilities which are set out throughout the Commitments.
Summer 2027
Slot release procedure for IATA Summer 2027 season
Under the Commitments, applicants are entitled to apply for slots to operate from London Heathrow Airport to the following destinations:
- Aberdeen
- Edinburgh
Slots awarded shall be for operations commencing from the IATA Summer 2027 season (which starts on 28 March 2027).
Key dates for the Slot Release Procedure for the Summer 2027 season are set out below. Applicants wishing to apply for slots should apply to the Trustee. Further information is available on the Trustee’s website.
Slot release timetable procedure for IATA Summer 2027 season
| Date | Action |
| 31 December 2026 | Slot release award process completed |
| 16 November 2026 | Deadline for the CMA to: (a) assess whether each applicant is a viable existing or potential competitor, with the ability, resources and commitment to operate services on the Relevant City Pair(s); and (b) evaluate the formal bids of each applicant. Trustee informs applicant whether it qualifies for slots |
| 8 October 2026 | Deadline for applicants to send a request for slots at the same time(s) as those requested previously to the slot coordinator in accordance with the general slot allocation procedure (as defined in the Commitments), and for applicants to send the Trustee their key terms (as defined in the Commitments), business plan and details of any compensation offered |
| 24 September 2026 | Deadline for the CMA (advised by the Trustee) to assess whether the applicant meets the eligibility criteria set out in the definitions of the Commitments |
| 20 August 2026 | Deadline for applicants to submit to the Trustee their Slot Request Application Form, including arrival and departure times requested, details of their leased out or exchanged slots at London Heathrow Airport and indications of any claim for anonymity |
| 6 August 2026 | Trustee opens the slot release procedure. Applicants may request application documents |
Winter 2026 to 2027
No application received for the Winter 2026 to 2027 slot release procedure
25 March 2026: Following the launch of the Slot Release Procedure for the IATA Winter 2026 season on 5 March 2026, no application or indication of interest was received by the deadline of 19 March 2026. Accordingly, the Slot Release Procedure for the IATA Winter 2026 season is now closed and no slot award will be made.
Slot release procedure for IATA Winter 2026 to 2027 season
Under the Commitments, applicants are entitled to apply for slots to operate from London Heathrow Airport to the following destinations:
- Aberdeen
- Edinburgh
Slots awarded shall be for operations commencing from the IATA Winter 2026 season (which starts on 25 October 2026).
Key dates for the slot release procedure for the Winter 2026 season are set out below. Applicants wishing to apply for slots should apply to the Trustee. Further information is available on the Trustee’s website.
Slot release timetable procedure for IATA Winter 2026 season
| Date | Action |
| 23 July 2026 | Slot release award process completed |
| 8 June 2026 | Deadline for the CMA to: (a) assess whether each applicant is a viable existing or potential competitor, with the ability, resources and commitment to operate services on the Relevant City Pair(s); and (b) evaluate the formal bids of each applicant. Trustee informs applicant whether it qualifies for slots |
| 7 May 2026 | Deadline for applicants to send a request for slots at the same time(s) as those requested previously to the slot coordinator in accordance with the general slot allocation procedure (as defined in the Commitments), and for applicants to send the Trustee their key terms (as defined in the Commitments), business plan and details of any compensation offered |
| 23 April 2026 | Deadline for the CMA (advised by the Trustee) to assess whether the applicant meets the eligibility criteria set out in the definitions of the Commitments |
| 19 March 2026 | Deadline for applicants to submit to the Trustee their Slot Request Application Form, including arrival and departure times requested, details of their leased out or exchanged slots at London Heathrow Airport and indications of any claim for anonymity |
| 5 March 2026 | Trustee opens the slot release procedure. Applicants may request application documents |
Winter 2025 to 2026
Outcome of the Winter 2025 to 2026 slot award process
31 July 2025: Pursuant to Clause 1.1.1 of the Commitments, IAG undertakes to, among other things, procure that slots are made available at London Heathrow Airport in order to allow one or more prospective entrant(s) to operate or increase their services on the city pairs identified in the Commitments. The CMA has approved a slot release agreement which will allow a new competitor, Riyadh Air, to enter the London-Riyadh route. As part of this process, Riyadh Air has been awarded one daily slot pair commencing in the IATA Winter 2025 to 2026 Season. The CMA has made this award in accordance with Clause 1.2 the definition of ‘prospective entrant’ in the Commitments and having concluded that the conditions set out in Clause 1.4.9 of the Commitments are met.