Airline to fly 'empty planes' to keep slots

(17 July 2008)

BMI will fly near-empty planes this autumn in an attempt to keep its multi-million pound runway slots at Heathrow.

The rise in fuel prices and worsening economy means many airlines will be forced to cancel flights after the summer rush, but BMI will fly empty planes in order to preserve their £770 million spaces.

Heathrow operates a 'use it or lose it' policy on runway slots, meaning an airline must use their scheduled slot at least 80% of the time or face forfeiting the space.

By flying the empty planes, BMI are expected to lose £20,000 per flight rather than endanger the coveted slots, which are valued at £30 million each.

This is not the first time airlines have courted controversy over empty planes, with Flybe recently advertising for actors to fly on its planes in order to avoid paying a £280,000 fine for failing to meet passenger quotas.