Aircraft flying 'empty' to retain slots

[karatekid]

Many passenger aircraft are taking off almost empty to ensure they retain their flight slots at the airport. 80% of the slots must be used or the airline could lose them so they are being forced to fly empty or near empty aircraft. Bad news for everyone so the Gov't has asked for the rule to be relaxed during the current crisis same as has happened with Chinese airlines. Surely this is just common sense.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51809318

[tarkys_ears]

Be a good time to book a dirt cheap economy ticket.

Sounds like you'll easily get a whole row to yourself

[GodIsADeeJay81]

EU regulations, so at present we still have to go ask the EU for permission to change the current rules

Common sense won't work unfortunately.

[Damo]

Anyone on here a pilot for ryanair? Our pilot had a Burnley yanlard yesterday

[basil6345789]

One one of our members at Burnley Golf Cub, "Fruitbat", drives for Ryanair. His real name is Andrew Hardman. Little lad, good fun

[basil6345789]

Many passenger aircraft are taking off almost empty to ensure they retain their flight slots at the airport. 80% of the slots must be used or the airline could lose them so they are being forced to fly empty or near empty aircraft. Bad news for everyone so the Gov't has asked for the rule to be relaxed during the current crisis same as has happened with Chinese airlines. Surely this is just common sense.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51809318

Who would take up any lost slots?

[thelaughingclaret]

Who would take up any lost slots?

This coronavirus thing isn’t going to last for ever. If say BA lost some slots at Heathrow Virgin could take them up for example. Airlines are flying empty planes to stop rivals taking slots for when things start to improve again thanks to the EU. Will Greta and her minions protest about to the EU? I doubt it as remember the EU is brilliant.

[Devils_Advocate]

This coronavirus thing isn’t going to last for ever. If say BA lost some slots at Heathrow Virgin could take them up for example. Airlines are flying empty planes to stop rivals taking slots for when things start to improve again thanks to the EU. Will Greta and her minions protest about to the EU? I doubt it as remember the EU is brilliant.

The rule itself has been seen as a very positive rule for many years which we happily signed up for. The EU is temporarily suspending the rule for this crisis just as it did for 9/11 and the SARS breakout.

Unfortunately we now live in such polarised and divisive times potential crises like COVID-19 is just a call to arms for numpties to try and point score and have a go at the other side

[bfcmik]

The rules were brought in to break the monopoly state airlines used to have at airports such as Heathrow, Paris's Charles de Gaulle, Berlin, Rome, Munich and almost every other major destination in Europe. British Airways, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa has guaranteed right of refusal on any and all slots at their major national hubs. Even small airlines such as Aer Lingus ruled the roost at Dublin and Shannon Airports. These anti-competitive practices eventually fell under spotlight of the EU's Competition Commission and things were opened up. Not entirely even now, look at the number of slots owned by the 'former' state airlines such as those mentioned above at their hubs!

[nighty]

since thomas cook went under various airlines who shared same routes have been gready bastards so i hope they struggle for a while .virgin atlantic for an example...we tend to go every 2 years in november to orlando . always paid around 700 for fly drive , suddenly went to 1300 for same flight , now hovering around 850 for similiar dates , they take the **** so havnt reduced them yet to 2018 levels ...lets not feel sorry for them

[Burnleyareback2]

I fly to london each week, when i tired to book my flight for this morning at 9am 2 weeks ago it was fully booked so I booked the 10am flight.

The m60 was so quiet I arrived at 8am, I thought it was worth asking if there was any space in the 9am flight- it was half full. The collapse of Flybe aside, I have not seen the M60, the airport or the flight to london so quiet.

Manchester airport, the worst I have ever used raised its game though today and made everyone take their shoes off in security, 4 out of the 7 people in front of me in the security scanner had no socks - a great time to lose the hygiene rules

[dsr]

Manchester airport, the worst I have ever used raised its game though today and made everyone take their shoes off in security, 4 out of the 7 people in front of me in the security scanner had no socks - a great time to lose the hygiene rules

I'd take a plane with Coronavirus and no bomb, ahead of a plane with a bomb and no Coronavirus.

You're right about Manchester airport though. Is it true that it's a sacking offence for airport security to be polite to a customer?

[chipbutty]

I`m flying to Malaga first week in April and only booked it 10 days ago. I checked the price of the flight tonight and it`s exactly the same.
The airlines would rather take half empty planes than give them away

[karatekid]

I've noticed that package holidays are not coming down in price either.

[KateR]

Be a good time to book a dirt cheap economy ticket.

Sounds like you'll easily get a whole row to yourself

I just flew Singapore Airlines and virtually everyone flying as a single had 3 seats for themselves to lie down in. Unfortunately booked last year so certainly was not cheap, am thinking of booking a flight in April and expect to be cheap(er) but waiting to see how the next few weeks go before booking.

[ChrisG]

I`m flying to Malaga first week in April and only booked it 10 days ago. I checked the price of the flight tonight and it`s exactly the same.
The airlines would rather take half empty planes than give them away

Probably costs more in fuel to carry a person and their luggage than the cost of the ticket

[Spike]

you still won't get to sit next a companion for free with Ryanair!