British Airways’ Transatlantic Jumbo Jet “Ghost Flights”
Airport International has learnt that airliners operated by British Airways have been carrying out flights between Britain and North America without a single passenger on board. These so-called “phantom” services (also known as “ghost flights”) are understood to have been running for about two weeks – needed, according to BA, due to a cabin crew shortage.
However, crucially, British Airways has offset the cost of these flights by increasing the fuel surcharge paid by all passengers. Consequently, the UK’s flagship carrier has come under extreme criticism from environmentalists, who accuse it of “hypocrisy”. In their view, the policy only serves to highlight the airline industry’s general antipathy towards taking on global warming.
Six Empty BA Aircraft Flown between London and US This Month
Since the 4th November, at least six flights have operated entirely empty – consuming thousands of tonnes of fuel in the process. Below is a summary of the ghost flights that Airport International has been able to compile so far:
- 4th November 2007 - Flight BA179 from London Heathrow to New York
- 6th November 2007 – Flight BA176 from New York to London Heathrow
- 11th November 2007 – Flight BA093 from London Heathrow to Toronto
- 11th November 2007 – Flight BA279 from London Heathrow to Los Angeles
- 12th November 2007 – Flight BA2025 from London Gatwick to Houston
- 13th November 2007 – Flight BA278 from Los Angeles to London Heathrow
A British Airways spokesman conceded that the airline has faced difficulties trying to coordinate the timetables of cabin crew, adding: "We are trying to minimise disruption to customers”.
BA Ghost Flights Carried Out to Preserve London Airport Slots
The ghost flights have also been operated to ensure British Airways’ continued occupancy of key departure and arrival slots at Heathrow, Gatwick and other London airports.
Among the aircraft types involved, it is understood that Boeing 747s figure prominently. The four-engined, giants of the sky can accommodate up to 600 passengers. Just think, therefore, of the impact on the environment: a return flight between Heathrow to New York produces approximately 1.3 tonnes of CO2.
A Greenpeace spokesman expressed his horror at the situation, stating: "It's pretty outrageous that BA are flying these empty flights half way across the world whilst saying they’re trying to cut down on CO2 emissions.
He added: "They should be setting a leading example. Thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide are being leaked out needlessly just so they can keep their slots."
Fuel Charge Increases Across BA’s Flights
At the same time, British Airways has announced a number of increases in fuel charges for all its commercial flights, as detailed below:
- Short-haul flights - £2.00 fuel charge increase to £10.00 per flight
- Flights up to 9 hours - £10.00 fuel charge increase to £48.00 per flight
- Long-haul flights - £15.00 fuel charge increase to £58.00 per flight
Speaking on the 12th November, British Airways described such a move as the only thing it could have done. In the eyes of a number of industry analysts, a two-times increase in the price of crude oil seems likely by December 2008.
The Boeing 747 is one of the most distinctive and recognisable aircraft designs in history, whether referred to formally, or by the “jumbo jet” moniker it has become universally known by. The type has now been in service commercially for 37 years – its crown as the world’s most capacious airliner only very recently snatched away by the Airbus A-380.
British Airways has operated the Boeing 747 in various forms since 1974.
Source – Airport International’s London Reporter
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