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Cheap 'ghost flights' in Europe's future?

 

European flyers may find themselves surrounded by a sea of cheap airfares soon, even though Europe's governments are asking everyone to refrain from unnecessary travel. The situation is a result of expiring flight waivers for airlines.

Under EU rules, airlines must operate at least 80% of their scheduled flights or face losing their treasured airport slots. At the beginning of the pandemic, airlines continued to operate near-empty planes—so-called ghost flights—to keep their slots. The EU authorities then ordered a temporary slot waiver, allowing the airlines to fly only what was needed.

Last month, though, the EU proposed to impose a 40% rule in April, rising to the full 80% by summer. But the airlines, pointing out that passenger demand is still low, and in some cases dropping, have asked that the waiver be extended.

Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr, pointing out that his airlines are operating now at only 20% of capacity, says that his airline will, if it is forced to meet the higher standard, operate ghost flights with fares as low as €9. While it would keep the slots open, the cost in fuel and other expenses would be high, and the cost in unnecessary carbon emissions would be enormous.

The best part of every trip is realizing that it has upset your expectations

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