Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2022
195. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to so-called ghost flights being flown from Dublin Airport; if he is concerned at the climate impact of these flights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14555/22]
View answerI am aware of media reports of so called "ghost flights" being flown by airlines to maintain control of slots at congested European airports. I have no specific information of this practice occurring at Dublin Airport.
Slots at congested European airports are governed by European regulations. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU has adopted measures to address the impact the introduction of travel and public health restrictions has had on the ability of airlines to maintain their historic slots at congested airports throughout Europe. This has enabled airlines to retain the airport slots they historically held even during a period of decreased demand for air services.
The alleviation measures applied have been gradually reduced as European aviation has recovered from the impacts of COVID. The purpose of the alleviation measures was intended to reduce the commerical risks to airlines of not utilising slots where trafic had fallen away. Any airline operating empty flights solely to retain control of certain airport slots is a cause for concern particularly from a climate impact perspective.
In this regard, the European Commission is monitoring the situation and may make proposals for continuing alleviation measures should evidence suggest that it is necessary.
