If you’ve been following aviation news in the past year, you might have come across the
term “ghost flight.”
Ghost flights refer to flights that are operated by airlines with very few
passengers, typically below 10 percent of capacity. In most cases, airlines operate these
flights to maintain their slots at congested airports.
In this article, we will explore what ghost flights are, why airlines operate them, their impact
on the environment, and the potential implications of these flights for the airline industry.
What Are Ghost Flights?
As mentioned earlier, ghost flights refer to flights that are operated by airlines with very few
passengers on board, typically less than 10 percent of capacity. These flights are most often
scheduled flights that airlines operate to maintain their coveted airport slots. An airport slot is
permission granted by an airport to an airline for the latter’s flight to take off or land at a
specific time.
Airport slots are crucial for airlines, particularly at congested airports where the demand for
slots is high. These slots are necessary to control traffic and capacity and are allocated
based on a “use it or lose it” rule. This means that if an airline does not use at least 80 percent of its slot, the airport may offer it to another carrier next season.
Ghost flights are a way for airlines to ensure that they meet the 80 percent threshold and
maintain their slots. Airlines typically operate these flights during off-peak hours when there
is less demand for travel.
Why Do Airlines Operate Ghost Flights?
In addition to maintaining their slots, airlines operate ghost flights to meet contractual
obligations with their partners. For example, if an airline has a codeshare agreement with
another airline, they may be required to operate a certain number of flights to maintain the
partnership, even if there is low demand. For example, if Airline A has a codeshare
agreement with Airline B, they may be required to operate a daily flight between Nairobi and
London. If demand for this route decreases and there are fewer passengers, Airline A may
still be required to operate the flight to fulfill its contractual obligations with Airline B.
Furthermore, canceling a flight can result in costly penalties for airlines. For instance, if an
airline cancels a flight that has already been booked, they may have to refund the tickets,
compensate passengers, and may even have to pay fines to the airport and aviation
authorities for disrupting the schedule. Therefore, it may be more cost-effective for airlines to
operate a ghost flight with few or no passengers rather than cancel the flight altogether.
Are Ghost Flights Necessary?
The question of whether ghost flights are necessary is a contentious one. While airlines
argue that these flights are necessary to maintain their airport slots, critics argue that they
are a waste of resources and contribute to environmental degradation.
One of the arguments against ghost flights is their impact on the environment. These flights
generate significant amounts of carbon emissions, which contribute to climate change.
According to research published by Greenpeace, around 100,000 ghost flights were flown
over Europe during the past winter alone, generating approximately 2.1 million tonnes of
carbon dioxide emissions. This is equivalent to the emissions of more than 1.4 million cars
per year.
The Impact of Ghost Flights on the Environment
The aviation industry is one of the largest emitters of carbon dioxide, and ghost flights
contribute to this problem. These flights generate significant amounts of carbon emissions,
which contribute to climate change.
The environmental impact of ghost flights is not limited to carbon emissions. These flights
also contribute to noise pollution and air pollution, particularly near airports where the
frequency of flights is higher. Noise pollution can have negative effects on the health and
well-being of nearby residents, while air pollution can lead to respiratory problems and other
health issues. Additionally, the use of fuel for these flights contributes to the depletion of
non-renewable resources.
The aviation industry has come under scrutiny in recent years for its impact on the
environment, and the issue of ghost flights has only intensified this scrutiny. Critics argue
that airlines need to do more to reduce their carbon footprint and prioritize sustainable
practices.
As the demand for air travel continues to increase, so does the number of ghost flights, and
this trend is expected to continue unless the industry adopts more sustainable practices. To
address this issue, some airlines have started implementing measures to reduce their
carbon footprint, such as using biofuels, investing in more fuel-efficient aircraft, and offsetting
their emissions by investing in carbon-reduction projects.
The Potential Implications for the Airline Industry
The issue of ghost flights has raised important questions about the airline industry’s
practices and the need for reform. As mentioned earlier, airport slots are allocated based on
a “use it or lose it” rule, which incentivizes airlines to operate flights even when there is little
or no demand. This has led to a waste of resources, including fuel and carbon emissions,
which have significant environmental implications.
The COVID-19 pandemic provided an opportunity for airlines to re-evaluate their operations
and implement more sustainable practices. For instance, many airlines have reduced their
schedules and eliminated routes with low demand to cut costs and reduce their carbon
footprint. However, there is still much more that can be done to address the problem of ghost
flights.
One potential solution is to reform the airport slot allocation system. The current “use it or
lose it” rule could be replaced with a more flexible system that considers factors such as
demand, environmental impact, and efficiency. This would encourage airlines to operate
flights only when there is genuine demand and reduce the number of empty flights.
Another solution is to promote alternative modes of transportation, such as high-speed rail,
which can be more environmentally friendly and efficient than air travel for short to medium-
distance journeys. Governments could invest in infrastructure to improve rail networks and
reduce journey times, making rail travel a more attractive option for passengers.
In conclusion, the issue of ghost flights is a significant problem for the airline industry, with
serious environmental and economic implications. While the COVID-19 pandemic has
provided an opportunity for airlines to address this issue, more needs to be done to reform
the industry and promote sustainable practices. Governments, airlines, and other
stakeholders must work together to develop solutions that reduce the number of empty
flights, promote alternative modes of transportation, and encourage more sustainable travel
practices.
