British Airways flying completely empty planes across the Atlantic

[marmar]

from the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.:



British Airways sending empty planes across Atlantic
Last Updated: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 | 8:55 PM ET
CBC News


British Airways has flown dozens of empty planes across the Atlantic Ocean in the past two weeks to avoid losing valuable runway slots at London's airports.

The airline is experiencing a staffing shortage and doesn't have enough cabin crew, but wants to keep its airport space, said British media reports Tuesday.

In order to retain its take-off and landing slots at London's airports — which have a "use it or lose it" rule — the airline has sent empty planes to Canada and the United States.

"We are trying to minimize disruption to customers," an airlines spokesperson told The Telegraph newspaper.

Environmentalists say the empty flights, which use thousands of tonnes of jet fuel, go against the airline's pledge to cut down C02 emissions.

The empty flights left London for a number of destinations, including Toronto, New York, Houston and Los Angeles, said British reports.

On Monday, the airline announced it was raising its fuel surcharge on tickets, citing the rising price of oil.

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2007/11/13/ba-flights.html

[AX10]

1. The airline industry is F***ED up enough.

It makes the US auto industry look like Microsoft circa 1998!

[lovuian]

2. who wants to go to Britain when the Sterling is so high

and Euro

[Boojatta]

3. Here's the problem:

London's airports — which have a "use it or lose it" rule —

[MADem]

5. London's not the only one that plays that game. NT

[MADem]

4. So much for THEIR carbon footprint!! They could at least load the things to the gills with freight,

or contract out the staff from one of those charter outfits, and sell the seats dead cheap. Do a break even game.

[City Lights]

6. So glad you posted this.

I heard about this on KO yesterday, but the only stuff I could find last night had to do with flights from London to Cardiff.

What a frickin' waste. :argh: