Airlines flying near-empty ‘ghost flights’ to retain EU airport slots

Analysis from Greenpeace finds deserted flights are generating millions of tons of harmful emissions

At least 100,000 ghost flights" could be flown across Europe this winter because of EU airport slot usage rules, according to analysis by Greenpeace.

The deserted, unnecessary or unprofitable flights are intended to allow airlines to keep their takeoff and landing runway rights in major airports, but they could also generate up to 2.1 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions - or as much as 1.4 million average petrol or diesel cars emit in a year - Greenpeace says.