Data on the level of occupancy of flights

25.1.2023

Question for written answer  E-000237/2023
to the Commission
Rule 138
Ciarán Cuffe (Verts/ALE)

There has been much concern about the ‘ghost flights’ that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, when flights with few or no passengers were flown in order for airlines to retain rights to airport slots under Council Regulation (EEC) No 95/93. Statements were also made publicly by airlines, which led to confusion concerning the accuracy of reports about ‘ghost flights’.

In the light of successive emergency revisions, where legislators worked without information about the level of occupancy of flights covered by this Regulation (in addition to an expected revision in 2023 as per the Commission’s Work Programme), is the Commission prepared to regularly publish data on the level of occupancy of flights by working with Eurocontrol, the International Civil Aviation Organization and other bodies? Having such information easily and publicly available, both by route and by airline (anonymised if necessary), would be in the public interest and would assist with transport planning beyond that associated with Council Regulation (EEC) No 95/93.

Submitted: 25.1.2023