British Airways has admitted flying airliners from the UK to North America with no passengers on board.
But the airline has rejected claims in London's Daily Telegraph that the phantom flights took place to avoid it losing valuable take-off and landing slots at Heathrow Airport, instead blaming cabin crew shortages.
Since the beginning of this month about one BA flight a day from Britain to the US or Canada has left Heathrow or Gatwick airport carrying only pilots and cargo because of a cabin crew shortage, a BA spokesman told Associated Press.
The empty flights allowed BA to pick up passengers in North America who have reservations to fly to Britain, he said.
However, the move has been slammed by Greenpeace.
At a time of climate crisis it's absolutely scandalous that BA should be flying empty planes across the Atlantic, a spokesman for the environmental campaign group told the wire service.
Global warming is the greatest threat we face, but by doing this, British Airways is flying in the face of the science and public opinion.
The revelations came within days of BA increasing its fuel surcharge on both short and long haul flights. - Travelpress travel news
Despite Climate Concerns, BA flies empty planes
