New Modern Times Scenario 2003- Slot costs?

[Sierra-November]

Cheers Aviators and Sami!
I have been away a long time but got tempted to start anew when the new 'Modern times' started.
As always, I go for my old company 'Viking Air Scandinavia' where I had my aviation years as f/o, now based in Gothenburg ESGG. Also my wet dream has always been building a fleet of the magnificient Saab-2000 with its 370kts speed and 58 pax.. I think this masterpiece of aircraft should have been more successful really..
I flew it as backseat pax on a trip Stockholm-Gothenburg late 2016 and sat next to a Captain on BRA Airline who commented the hard landing, that the landing gear was taken from our old fighter jet AJ-37-Viggen! 
Well, I will try to create a small Scandinavian airline with a few octopuss-legs out in Europe, hoping it will work. The sparse market for Saab-2000 might be a problem, but I have already made an alternate.. Bae 146-100 in emergency. I know, they cost much more in total, but I love them too! Smoother landings can't be done than in a Bae-146!   
My only problem is the horrendously high slot fees!! Was it so high in 2003?? I mean.. adding another route ESGG-Copenhagen will cost me 1,8 million $ ! It feels a bit unbalanced, compared to the possible income rates and costs for staff and maintenance.. Maybe I am wrong but it is hard to expand..
'Gear up!, fly well Comrades! 

[Sami]

The initial costs are quite high since that limits the rate of the initial growth of the airlines quite well. So, on purpose.

[Sierra-November]

Ok, I understand. Thank's Sami