Almost 15,000 ‘ghost flights’ departed UK during pandemic
Nearly 15,000 so-called ‘ghost flights’ have taken off from UK airports since the start of the pandemic.
According to data covering March 2020 to September 2021, there were 4,910 ghost flights at Heathrow.
Manchester and Gatwick both had over 1,000 each.
A ghost flight is classified as flying empty or less than 10% of seat capacity.
There was an average of 760 ghost flights each month during the period.
Before Covid airlines were compelled to fly half-empty sometimes to retain airport slots under the ‘use it or lose it’ rule but this rule was suspended.
“Flights may operate with a low number of passengers for a range of reasons. Since the onset of the pandemic, the government has provided alleviation from the normal slot regulations. This means that airlines have not been required to operate empty or almost empty flights solely to retain their historic slots rights,” Aviation Minister Robert Courts said.
The data covered only international departures.
“To really tackle the climate emergency we need to ensure that our aviation sector is as efficient as it can be with its carbon output,” Labour MP Alex Sobel said after requesting the data from the government.
Ray Monty
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt