Re: Planes ?fly empty? to keep slots at Heathrow .

On 16 Jul, 06:53, Doug <jag...@riseup.net> wrote:
> What a criminal waste of energy and cause of unnecessary pollution!
> And they want another runway to make matters worse!
>
> "Britain’s third-largest airline, bmi, will fly near-empty aircraft
> from this autumn to preserve multimillion-pound take-off and landing
> slots, The Times has learnt.
>
> The rise in fuel prices and an expected slump in passenger numbers
> after the summer mean that many airlines will have to cancel flights,
> but bmi does not want to lose its coveted slots at Heathrow, which are
> valued at £770 million.
>
> Airline executives are bracing themselves for their toughest winter
> yet as the credit crunch forces passengers to cut back on air travel
> and fuel prices continue to drive up costs.
>
> The decision by bmi to fly “ghost flights” - short-haul trips with
> only a handful of passengers - is one of a series of plans being drawn
> up by airlines. Senior industry figures admit that other carriers will
> cancel domestic flights at short notice and gave warning of chaos
> ahead for business travellers. Rather than withdrawing from uneconomic
> routes, the tactic of cancelling individual flights is another way of
> retaining landing slots..."
>
> More:
>
> http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/news/article4340518.ece

When I picked up the Times this morning and saw the headline, I just
knew that Gollum would be posting this one.  Still, makes a change
from his usual Daily Wail cut'paste crap.
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