'Ghost Flights' Ex Machina

Flying is one of the most carbon intensive activities that people can undertake. It's currently second only to space tourism. One might have expected, however, that air travel emissions would have been near zero, over the duration of the Covid19 pandemic. Not so! In the time of the pandemic, there were almost 15,000 'ghost flights' from UK airports (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/feb/22/almost-15000-ghost-flights-left-uk-since-pandemic-began). 'Ghost flights' are almost empty. Less than 10% of the aircraft's capacity is occupied. London's Heathrow airport was the top UK offender, with almost 5000 'ghost flights'. These flights were consequently continuing to pump out massive emissions of 'greenhouse gases' high into the atmosphere. This was even the case when their were few passengers and air travel was greatly restricted. The airlines will, no doubt, maintain that 'ghost flights' were essential to keep their airport slots. The flights may well have also transported viral varients to new areas of the globe. Aircrew also breathe. It is clear, however, that reducing their emissions comes extremely low down on airline lists of priorities. This is in spite of claimed 'green' aspirations. Judge them by their actions, rather than by what they say!